United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a long involvement in tourism and is one of the foremost inbound tourism destinations in the world. Its popularity as a holiday destination owes largely to its rich cultural heritage, while business tourism and visiting friends and relatives are also important. As a result, tourism is one of the United Kingdom’s most significant economic sectors, even if this is not broadly recognized by those making planning and policy decisions. Its capital city, London, is the most popular destination for overseas tourists. The British are also among the world’s most enthusiastic international travelers, even if outbound tourism was severely hit by the world economic recession beginning in 2008. In contrast, domestic tourism in the United Kingdom has remained buoyant, partly as a ...