VisitBritain has released the results of the International Passenger Survey for April 2012 revealing a healthy increase in both the volume and value of inbound tourism with same period of 2011.

A total of 2.9 million people arrived from overseas during the month, spending some £1.4 billion.

This represents an increase of ten per cent on both figures.

Holiday visits were also up by five per cent in April, continuing a recent trend for setting new records.

The 1.2 million holiday arrivals, excluding business travel, in April means there have been 3.3 million holiday visits so far this year.

This is seven per cent higher than at the same point in 2011.

Commenting on the April IPS figures, Patricia Yates, director of strategy & communications at VisitBritain said: “The first few months of the year are traditionally a quiet period for visits to the UK, so to see a record month like this with an increase of ten per cent in both visits and spend is encouraging.

“Our £25 million GREAT image campaign has been running in key inbound markets around the world since February.

“That aims to entice a greater number of people to choose Britain for their next holiday and with the London 2012 Games on our horizons, we hope that these positive April figures are an early indication that our message is getting through.

“The only place to be in 2012 is here in the UK and the warmest of welcomes awaits international visitors coming here to join in all the wonderful celebrations that are taking place right across the country.”