The number of overseas visitors to the UK fell 13% in August from a year ago, official figures have shown.
The number of overseas visitors to the UK fell 13% in August from a year ago, official figures have shown.
The number of foreign visitors during August was 3.24 million, down from 3.7 million in August 2006, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed.
The number of foreign visitors during August was 3.24 million, down from 3.7 million in August 2006, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed.
VisitBritain said the strong pound had made attracting tourists harder. August also saw notably poor weather.
VisitBritain said the strong pound had made attracting tourists harder. August also saw notably poor weather.
VisitBritain has warned that the UK tourism industry could lose about £2bn if the government does not invest more.
VisitBritain has warned that the UK tourism industry could lose about £2bn if the government does not invest more.
According to data supplied to VisitBritain and Visit London by Oxford Economics, Britain could gain a further £2.1bn from tourism associated with the 2012 Olympics.
According to data supplied to VisitBritain and Visit London by Oxford Economics, Britain could gain a further £2.1bn from tourism associated with the 2012 Olympics.
"The growth of Britain's inbound tourism industry is increasingly dependent on visitors from countries like China, the Czech Republic, India and Poland," said VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues.
"The growth of Britain's inbound tourism industry is increasingly dependent on visitors from countries like China, the Czech Republic, India and Poland," said VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues.
'Tourism deficit'
'Tourism deficit'
VisitBritain is awaiting to hear from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on its funding over the next three years.
VisitBritain is awaiting to hear from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on its funding over the next three years.
Mr Rodrigues is set to address a tourism event on Wednesday and will ask for more funding.
Mr Rodrigues is set to address a tourism event on Wednesday and will ask for more funding.
In a keynote address at the Annual National Conference of Visitor Attractions, VisitBritain will say it has asked for a modest sum to "combat increased competition for tourism spend from around the world, and specific funding to secure the tourism benefits of hosting the 2012 games".
In a keynote address at the Annual National Conference of Visitor Attractions, VisitBritain will say it has asked for a modest sum to "combat increased competition for tourism spend from around the world, and specific funding to secure the tourism benefits of hosting the 2012 games".
Mr Rodrigues will argue that the organisation, which is charged with promoting Britain, has had its funding frozen for 12 years and that during that time, the "tourism deficit" has hit more than £18bn.
Mr Rodrigues will argue that the organisation, which is charged with promoting Britain, has had its funding frozen for 12 years and that during that time, the "tourism deficit" has hit more than £18bn.
"Attracting more visitors to Britain depends on sustained marketing programmes in our core markets as well as investment to open up the new growth markets of Asia and India," Mr Rodrigues will say.
"Attracting more visitors to Britain depends on sustained marketing programmes in our core markets as well as investment to open up the new growth markets of Asia and India," Mr Rodrigues will say.
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