Britons taking fewer trips abroad

Britons are continuing to take fewer trips abroad, Government figures today showed.

UK residents made 3.28 million visits overseas in November 2010 compared with more than 3.54 million in November 2009, the Office for National Statistics said.

In the first 11 months of last year, UK residents made 52.25 million trips abroad - a 6% dip on the January-November 2009 figure.

The amount UK residents spend while away on overseas trips has also been falling. It totalled just under £1.7 billion in November 2010 compared with more than £1.8 billion in November 2009.

The amount spent by Britons during visits abroad in the first 11 months of last year totalled £29.41 billion - 2% down on the January-November 2009 total.

In contrast, the number of visits to the UK by overseas residents and the amounts they have spent held steady last year.

Foreign residents made 2.34 million visits to the UK in November 2010 compared with just over 2.22 million in November 2009.

Visits to the UK for the first 11 months of last year by overseas residents totalled 27.55 million - about the same as for the January-November 2009 period.

Overseas visitor spending in the UK reached more than £1.25 billion in November 2010 compared with £1.17 billion in November 2009.

Spending by foreign visitors for the first 11 months of last year was more than £15.39 billion - a 1% rise on the January-November 2009 total.