The line graph illustrates the proportions of overseas visitors who went to the United Kingdom for different purposes, including business, holiday and meeting friends and relatives over a span of years from a 1989 to 2009.
Looking from an overall perspective, it is clear that tourists with holiday purposes accounted for the highest proportion throughout the period, while overseas visitors with business and meeting friends and relatives purposes also showed a significant increase over time.
Commencing at approximately 6.5 millions in 1989, the proportion of visitors with holiday purposes rapidly increased to 9 million by 1996, becoming the highest figure ever. It then declined to around 6,5 million before it reached again its highest point, about 9 million, by 2009.
Business travel fluctuated more slightly. After a decline to around 4 million in 1992, the figure steadily increased to 6.5 million by 1999. It remained stable for several years before rose to about 8 million in 2009, surpassing holiday tourism. Visits to friends and relatives showed gradual increase, starting at 3.5 million 1989, the figure increased to 7 million by 2009.
