Far East can’t get enough of Manchester…

Manchester has become a popular destination for visitors holidaying from the Far East.

The number of leisure visitors from Singapore has nearly tripled in the last twelve months from approximately 1500 to 4500 in 2010, which makes the country Manchester's ninth largest leisure market. China has also entered the top 10 with over 4,400 visitors.

Even further afield, 14,000 Australians made the epic journey for a leisure break to Manchester during 2010, the third most popular nationality to do so.

Ireland and the United States of America complete the top three country markets from which more visitors hailed. Both have traditionally been strong markets for the city.

The top five country markets during 2010 for leisure visits were:

1.    Ireland (26,000 visitors)
2.    United States of America (22,000 visitors)
3.    Australia (14,000 visitors)
4.    Germany (13,000 visitors)
5.    Norway (9,000 visitors)

The data, from the Office for National Statistics' latest International Passenger Survey, also confirmed that Manchester has retained its position as the third most popular destination in the UK for international visitors to Britain.

The top five destinations in the UK during 2010 were:

1.    London (14,706,000 visitors)
2.    Edinburgh (1,305,000 visitors)
3.    Manchester (811,000 visitors)
4.    Birmingham (740,000 visitors)
5.    Glasgow (551,000 visitors)

Greater Manchester increased its number of international visitors by 5% to 1,016,000 and business visits increased by 16% in 2010 compared to the UK increase of 3%.

Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, said: "Manchester has always been a popular destination for visitors from Ireland, the USA, Germany and Norway, but the Far East has really increased its prominence.

"The extra capacity on flights to the Middle East, particularly the Emirates and Etihad Airways services, will certainly have helped as that route is one of the fastest ways of getting to Manchester.

"2012 looks set to be another positive year for tourism, with the opening of the National Football Museum and the Olympic Games taking place at Old Trafford among the year's highlights."

For more information about what to see and do in the city, check out: www.visitmanchester.com

ENDS