Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of overseas tourist visits to London, United Kingdom, declined sharply in 2021 compared to 2019. While the renowned travel destination recorded around 11.1 million international visits for holiday purposes in 2019, it only reported 720 thousand inbound visits for the same reason in 2021. Overall, visiting friends and relatives was the most popular reason for visiting London among overseas tourists in 2021.
Number of overseas tourist visits to London in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2021, by purpose
(in 1,000s)
Data for 2021 excludes the Eurotunnel. Dover traffic was only included from the third quarter of the year.
Figures have been rounded. The source adds the following information: "No data were collected for Q2 to Q4 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Estimates are based on models using passenger numbers and IPS trend data".
Data can be found under Tab 2.13 of the source's Excel file.
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Office for National Statistics (UK). (June 15, 2022). Number of overseas tourist visits to London in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2021, by purpose (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/287958/number-of-global-visits-to-london-uk-by-purpose-of-visit/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Number of overseas tourist visits to London in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2021, by purpose (in 1,000s)." Chart. June 15, 2022. Statista. Accessed August 15, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/287958/number-of-global-visits-to-london-uk-by-purpose-of-visit/
Office for National Statistics (UK). (2022). Number of overseas tourist visits to London in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2021, by purpose (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 15, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/287958/number-of-global-visits-to-london-uk-by-purpose-of-visit/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Number of Overseas Tourist Visits to London in The United Kingdom (Uk) in 2019 and 2021, by Purpose (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Jun 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/287958/number-of-global-visits-to-london-uk-by-purpose-of-visit/
Office for National Statistics (UK), Number of overseas tourist visits to London in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2021, by purpose (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/287958/number-of-global-visits-to-london-uk-by-purpose-of-visit/ (last visited August 15, 2022)
