The line graph delineates the influx of foreign visitors to the UK for three distinct purposes from 1989 to 2009.
Overall, there was a general upward trajectory in the overall number of overseas tourists arriving in the UK. The primary motive is holidaying in the country.
Tourists arriving for holidays in the UK consistently represented the highest number, starting slightly above 6 million visitors initially, then soaring significantly to nearly 10 million by 1999. Although this figure gradually decreased to just under 8 million by 2004, it then rebounded to conclude the period at approximately 9 million visitors.
For visitors arriving for business purposes, their numbers began at slightly more than 5 million and witnessed a decline to a low of 4 million in 1994. Thereafter, a surge occurred, peaking at 8 million in 2007, before experiencing a slight drop of approximately 1 million in the final year. Visits to friends or relatives showcased a similar but less steep upward trend, commencing at nearly 4 million and progressively rising to approximately 7 million visitors by 2004. However, this figure slightly receded to slightly over 6 million by the conclusion of the timeframe.