Band 6+: You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The graph below shows the number of overseas visitors who came to the UK for different purposes between 1989 and 2009. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

The given line graph compares the number of foreign people visiting the UK for various purposes over the period of 20 years between 1989 to 2009

Overall, it can be seen from this diagram that the number of people going on holidays are the highest out of all areas, while that for visiting relatives and friends are the lowest. Furthermore, all areas had a moderate increase in 2009 compared to starting numbers in 1989.

The amount of people going abroad to UK for vacation experience dramatic fluctuations throughout the 20 years, first hitting a top of 9 million visitors in 1997. The area then had a significant drop to 6.5 million visitors in around 2004, and rebounded back to 9 million in 2009.

The areas of business and meeting friends and family experience a similar rising trend, with the business category higher and more unstable than the other during the first 10 years, reaching a low of 4 million in 1991. After this period, the two areas both had a steady climb and reach a peak in 2007 of 8 million and 7 million respectively, then had a slight to 7 million and 6 million respectively in 2009.