London receives record foreign tourists in 2014

London: London has received record number of foreign visitors last year with 17.4 million tourists pouring into the UK capital, a new survey reported today.

There were 17.4 million visits to the city in 2014 up by 3.5 per cent from the previous record of 16.8 million in 2013, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey.

"These terrific new figures confirm that record numbers of tourists are spending record amounts of dosh in our amazing city," said Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London.

"Our status as the number one destination in the world is surely beyond any doubt, and with incredible attractions like the Rugby World Cup heading our way we look forward to welcoming many thousands more visitors to London," he said.

The city proved to be one of the world's biggest tourist magnets with a diverse and eclectic mix of blockbuster exhibitions and events, the city's promoters London & Partners said.

The uplift in visitor numbers is reflected across the uk which welcomed nearly 34.4 million visitors, a 5.2 per cent increase compared to 2013. International tourists spent 21.8 billion pounds, up 2.8 per cent compared to the previous year, the report said.

A record 58 million people from the UK and overseas visited the city's 40 most popular tourist attractions last year, up four per cent compared to 2013, according to the Attractions Monitor, a detailed visitor survey compiled by London & Partners.

"London continues to attract record numbers of international visitors, injecting billions into the capital's economy each year," said Gordon Innes, Chief Executive of London & Partners.

"Royal occasions, like the arrival of Princess Charlotte, combined with London's heritage, attractions and world-leading cultural offer, is expected to attract many more millions from the UK and abroad, continuing the growth of international visitor numbers in 2015," Innes added.