Growth of Tourism in England

Tourism is an important branch of the economy. More than 17 million foreign tourists arrive annually in Great Britain. Most come to England though some tourists may only pass through on their way to Scotland or Wales. About two thirds of the visitors come from Western European countries and about 20 percent from North America. London is by far the most visited city. The English Tourist Board is a government-supported agency that promotes tourism by advertising, publishing promotional literature, and encouraging the improvement of tourist accommodations, restaurants, and other amenities.

The English themselves are great travelers, and there are many travel agencies. The biggest of these is Thomas Cook, founded in the 1850s as the first travel agency in the world. In recent years more than 31 million British people annually have made trips abroad. Most travel in Europe, with France as the popular destination in summer and Spain in winter.

In the past most English travelers vacationed in the British Isles. A number of seaside resorts arose that catered to visitors from nearby urban areas. The major resorts for London were Brighton, Hastings, and others on the southern coast. Blackpool served the industrial northwest and Hartlepool the north.