UK Immigration News

Surge in Mideast Tourists to UK

According to the UK's national tourist authority VisitBritain, Britain expects to welcome more tourists from the Middle East in 2012.

In 2011, the number of visitors to Britain from the Middle East broke a record. The increasing trend of Mideast tourists is expected to continue through 2012 aided by the 2012 Summer Olympics effects.

VisitBritian's figures reveal that there were 30.6 million visitors entering Britain in 2011, a 3 percent rise from 2010, the strongest rise since 2008. 15 percent of all tourists to the UK were from the "Rest of the World" region which includes the Middle East.

Carol Maddison, manager, UAE, VisitBritain indicated that there would be a strong contingent of Middle Eastern tourists visiting the UK for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. She also noted June's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Festival are two outstanding events that can provide tourists with a unique opportunity to experience Britain and British hospitality at its very best.

In response to VisitBritain's figures, Guy Warrington, Consul General at the British Embassy in Dubai stated: "The whole world will come together in London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer. The UAE national team will experience the finest training and sporting facilities the world has to offer. And, for our Emirati guests visiting the UK in July I promise the warmest of welcomes. Not only will they be thrilled by the excitement of the Games, but they will also be spoilt for choice by all that the UK has to offer – from Edinburgh Castle and the mountains of Snowdonia to Stonehenge and beyond."

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