[holding answer 18 July 2006]: The following tables set out the number of visits to the South West region from (i) overseas and (ii) the UK where this included an overnight stay. Information is provided between 2000 and 2005; equivalent data prior to this period are not available.
Visit (all) 2000 2,042 2001 1,689 2002 1,852 2003 1,885 2004 2,033 2005 12,137 1 2005 data are provisional. Source: International Passenger Survey (ONS).
Visit (all) 2000 24,700 2001 25,200 2002 26,000 2003 22,800 2004 120,500 2005 221,280 1 VisitBritain believes the old UKTS methodology significantly underreported 2004. 2 In 2005 an improved methodology was introduced for UKTS so direct comparison with previous years is not appropriate. Source: UK Tourism Survey (National Tourist Boards)
In addition, the South West region receives a substantial number of day visitors; the last Leisure Day Visitors Survey in 2002-03 recorded a total of 48 million day visitors to the region.