§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment has been made of the principal reasons indicated by research as to why foreign tourists visit Britain. [26791]
§ Mr. SproatFrom time to time, the British Tourist Authority produces information about features mentioned by holiday makers as being enjoyable parts of their visits. In the 1988 overseas visitors survey, the particular features of Britain which visitors enjoyed included: the people, mentioned by 30 per cent.; heritage and cultural attractions, 26 per cent.; countryside, scenery and villages, 21 per cent.; and specific towns, areas or attractions, 18 per cent. The 1995 overseas visitors to London survey indicated that visitors to London, which attracts 51 per cent. of all overseas visitors to Britain, including 84 per cent. of all first-time visitors, mentioned as enjoyable features of their visit: historic houses, sites and cathedrals, 38 per cent.; British way of life and people, 21 per cent.; museums and galleries, 18 per cent.; shopping, 15 per cent.; London architecture, 13 per cent.; parks and gardens, 12 per cent.; and pageantry, history and ceremonial, 11 per cent.