The line graph illustrates the number of overseas visitors who travelled to the United Kingdom for three different purposes, namely business, holidays, and visiting friends and relatives, between 1989 and 2009.
Regarding holidays, approximately 6.5 million visitors travelled to the UK in 1989. This figure remained stable until the early 1990s, before rising sharply to a peak of 9 million in 1997. After that, the number declined gradually, reaching around 6.5 million in 2004. However, it increased again over the following five years, finishing at 9 million in 2009.
In terms of business travel, the number of visitors stood at 5 million in 1989. It then fell to approximately 4 million in 1992 before recovering to around 4.5 million in 1994. Subsequently, the figure rose significantly to 6 million in 1997 and remained relatively stable at about 6.5 million until 2002. After that, it continued to increase, reaching approximately 8 million in 2009, despite a slight fluctuation towards the end of the period.
As for visitors who came to meet friends and relatives, the figure was approximately 3.5 million in 1989. It increased gradually to around 4 million in 1992 and 4.5 million in 1994. The number then continued to rise steadily, reaching approximately 5.5 million in 2002 and 7 million in 2009. However, it experienced a slight decline to around 6 million by the end of the period.
Overall, all three purposes showed an upward trend over the period, although there were some fluctuations. Holiday travel attracted the highest number of visitors for much of the period, while visiting friends and relatives remained the least common purpose for most years. By 2009, holiday travel was the leading reason for visiting the UK, followed by business travel and visiting friends and relatives.