Pictured: The European Society of Cardiology congress attracted 32,773 delegates to the capital
London has set a new record after business
tourist numbers rose 13 per cent in 2015, reaching 3.7 million business visits.
The 33.000-delegate European Society of Cardiology congress and the European Federation of Periodontology, along with the Rugby World Cup, have been among those events credited with helping grow numbers
in the capital.
The total number of visitors passed 30
million, with international visitation rising 7 per cent, up from 28.8 million
total visitors (including 3.2 million business visitors) in 2014.
They spent £15 billion, a figure that has
grown 35 per cent since 2010. It comes as city operators brace for a bumper
year in 2016, with major conferences from the likes of European Society of Anaesthesiology, the European League Against Rheumatology and the European Respiratory Society. Notable tourist draws include the Queen's 90th birthday, along with 400 year
celebrations for Shakespeare's legacy.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “It is
fantastic that more people than ever before are opting to visit London, to
sample the best of our capital and the best of Britain. London has something
for everyone and an appeal that clearly extends across the globe.
Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners,
added: “Millions of people want to come to London from all over the world because
the city has an unrivalled mix of culture, art, music, theatre, restaurants and
major events. Tourism is a crucial part of the city's economy and we anticipate
a significant increase in the number of UK and international visitors for many
years to come.”