Why are Americans far more numerous and higher spending, than any nationality visiting the UK?

To what extent has UK inbound tourism suffered from the Foot and Mouth disease?

Business tourism contributes to London's central role - since 1996 the proportion of inbound visitors on business has increased from 37% to 40%.

Mintel last published a report on Inbound Tourism in June 1997. Between 1993 and 1996 the number of overseas visitors showed steady growth as the global economy strengthened. Since then, visiting rates have levelled out due to the strength of Sterling and, in 1998, the economic crisis in the Far East. More recently the period of declining demand has been further affected by the foot-and-mouth epidemic (FMD) in 2001 and the subsequent global media attention. This important topic will be covered in The Market Factors and The Future sections, although the disease was "under control" at the time of writing. The main sections of the report concentrate on the underlying trends for the market and its suppliers.

Other reports of relevance to this market include:

- Special Report, Holidays - Planning, Buying and Financing Holidays from the UK, 2001

- Airlines, Leisure Intelligence, June 2001

- Fly-drive Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, May 2001

- Camping and Caravanning, Leisure Intelligence, April 2001

- Self-catering Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, March, 2001

- Long Haul, Leisure Intelligence, March 2001

- Budget Hotels, Leisure Intelligence, February 2001

- No-frills/Low-cost Airlines, Leisure Intelligence, February 2001

- Visiting Friends and Relatives, Leisure Intelligence, December 2000

- Premium Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, October 2000

- Youth Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, October 2000

- Independent Tour Operators, leisure Intelligence, July 2001

- Directly Booked Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, August 2001

- All Inclusive Tours, Leisure Intelligence, August 2001

- Crossing the Channel, Leisure Intelligence, September 2001.