The number of people visiting the capital’s tourist and cultural attractions including galleries and museums in April rose by 20% to 3.6 million, according to figures from Visit London.
Warm weather and an increase in visitors from other European countries helped boost the figures.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson welcomed the figures: ‘This proves London’s appeal to visitors from the UK and overseas remains strong despite the economic downturn. It also shows the investment we are making in tourism is paying off. The city offers an unrivalled range of things to do and see, much of which offers great value for the visitor and we will do our utmost to ensure London maintains its position as a must see destination.’
Earlier this year the Mayor announced funding additional funding worth around £2.5m to support tourism campaigns, as part of his Economic Recovery Action Plan. Visit London is also working with the tourism industry to promote the capital in the UK and overseas through a campaign called “Only in London” which celebrates the unique experiences that can be found in the city.
Sally Chatterjee, Interim CEO, Visit London commented: “The increase of visitors to London’s attractions is a very positive sign and demonstrates that London is still drawing people to the capital despite the economic climate. London is the world’s most visited international city and our diverse range of attractions remains one of the key draws of the city”.
Visit London compiled their figures from a sample of 34 attractions in the capital including the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and St Paul’s Cathedral.
