The first table compares the results of UK residents who are deciding to visit abroad, and their purpose during the period from 1994 to 1998, while the second table illustrates which destinations they decide to visit during the same period of time.
Overall, most people spent time visiting abroad in 1998, while the number of visitors in 1995 was the lowest, mainly for holiday purposes. In addition, Western Europe was a destination that made up the majority, while North America was less popular than the others.
The main reason for their visit was mainly a holiday purpose. Initially, there were 15,246 travellers in 1994, and the number increased steadily from 1994 to 1998. It reached its highest point in 1998, which was over 20,000 people. Meanwhile, the number of visitors for business and visiting friends and relatives purposes were lower. It fluctuated between nearly 4,000 visitors for business purposes and over 3,000 visitors for visiting friends and relatives. Other reasons reached a peak of over 1,000 visitors in 1996; by contrast, it went down to 990 in 1998. The total number of visitors rose continuously until 1998.
Western Europe was significantly visited by 19,371 people in 1994, which substantially rose to over 24,500 travellers in 1998. Other areas are more remarkable destinations by 1,782 visitors than North America, which was 919 people, and have remained unchanged for many years.