The table provides data on the number of overseas visitors to the UK from seven European countries, using air and tunnel transport in 2015 and 2021. Figures are measured in thousands.
Overall, France had the highest number of visitors in both years and across both travel modes, while Bulgaria and Portugal consistently recorded the lowest. Air travel was generally more common than tunnel travel, and most countries saw increases in visitor numbers over the six-year period.
In 2015, France led in air travel with 1,339,000 visitors, rising slightly to 1,441,000 by 2021. Germany followed, increasing from 2,079,000 to 2,129,000, while Sweden also showed modest growth. Bulgaria remained the lowest in this category, though its numbers rose from 57,000 to 71,000.
For tunnel travel, France again ranked first, increasing from 1,514,000 to 1,576,000. Belgium showed the most significant growth, from 569,000 to 746,000. By contrast, tunnel visits from Italy and Portugal stayed minimal, both under 10,000. Sweden saw a decline in tunnel usage, dropping from 19,000 to 7,000.
Overall, France dominated visitor numbers, and air remained the preferred travel mode.