UK tourism hit a record high in 2018 and is looking to continue into 2018.
Over 39.9 million visits were made to the UK, and this number is expected to exceed 40 million this year.
Yet the capital city is seeing fewer visitors, as London tourism reports a decline in tourists visiting the major attractions.
Despite recent terror attacks in the city, this hasn’t been cited as the main reason behind the drop.
A report by Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva) found that the top four tourist attractions in London have seen a huge drop in visitors.
The British Museum had 5.9 million visitors, down 8 per cent, followed by the Tate Modern with 5.7 million, dropping by 3 per cent. National Gallery had 5.2 million visitors with a huge drop by 17 per cent.
Despite London seeing a 1.2 per cent increase in attraction visits compared to 2016, the number is much lower than the rest of the UK.
Scotland saw a 12.9 per cent increase, much higher than the average UK growth of 7.3 per cent.
Bernard Donoghue, director of Alva, explained some of the reasons behind the drop in visitor numbers.
He stated: “Economic factors have had an impact on UK visitors to central London, with associated evidence that the costs linked with a visit such as travel, food and drink have played an important part in deciding where to visit.”
Mr Donoghue also cited travel disruptions as putting people off travelling to the city.
The “semi-closure of Waterloo Station” as well as the “inconsistent train service from south and south-east England,” were a factor as many chose to stay closer to home instead.
Whilst recent terror attacks were acknowledged as another factor, the economic and travel concerns were a much more “crucial part”.
The National Museum of Scotland was the most visited tourist attraction outside of London for the first time since in four years, with visitor numbers up by 20 per cent to 2.2 million visitors.
Britons looking for the cheapest UK holiday destination should head south.
The cheapest staycation option is found in Dartmoor with affordable accommodation offers.
