Tourism in the UK flourishes after Brexit vote

Britain faced an influx of foreign visitors in July while holidaymakers going overseas opted to spend less, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Around 3..07m visitors came to Britain in July, after the Brexit vote, due to the boost to spending power delivered by the pound's fall. As a result, visitors spent 2% more than in the previous period to reach £1.79bn in seasonally adjusted terms.

In the same month, Britons made 5.79m trips abroad, which was 1% more than a year earlier, but spent 1% less at £3.55bn.

The data also chimed with reports from businesses sent to the Bank of England indicating that a greater number of British people are spending their holidays at home.

Sales of luxury items such as watches and jewellery were noted for experiencing a boost, with tourists exploiting the fall in the pound to go on luxury shopping sprees. Tourist spending on luxury goods in Britain rose by 36% in August according to tax-free shopping firm Global Blue.

"We have an immediate and real opportunity to promote Britain as a great value destination, particularly in our long-haul high-spending markets such as China and the U.S.," said the chief executive of Visit Britain Sally Balcombe.