LONDON OCT. 26 (People's Daily Online UK)—— A record-breaking August for inbound tourism to the UK reaches 3.8 million visits, up 2% on the same month last year, according to the new figures of the Office for National Statistics. Overseas visitors to the UK spent £2.6 billion in August, 4% up on the same month last year.

August saw strong growth from North America, which includes the US with 510,000 visits, up 13% compared to the same month last year. 

The Office for National Statistics figures also show a record-breaking first eight months of the year for visits from EU countries, the UK’s largest visit-generating region, with 16.8 million visits, 3% up on last year.

Figures bring inbound visits from January to August this year to 25 million, up 3% on the same period last year and a record year–to-date. Spending by visitors during this period was £14.6 billion.

Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch said:

"2016 has been an incredible year for British tourism and underlined our status as one of the top visitor destinations in the world.

"We continue to attract a record number of tourists from across the globe, which is not only great news for the sector, but the whole economy. 

"We are absolutely committed to supporting the industry, and our Tourism Action Plan and £40 million Discover England Fund will help it grow further and spread the economic benefits across the country." 

In August UK Prime Minister Theresa May launched a ‘Tourism Action Plan’ to ensure that Britain remains a top destination for visitors from across the globe.

Last year set a record for inbound tourism to Britain on visits and spend with 36.1 million visits, 5% up on 2014, and spending up 1% to £22.1 billion.

Inbound tourism is worth more than £26 billion a year to the UK economy. (Bai Tianxing)