Brexit-weary pound boosts inbound North American flights in July

Inbound flight reservations to the UK spiked in July, as the pound fell in the wake of the country's vote to exit the European Union, according to a new study. Research conducted by travel data and information firm ForwardKeys found that flight reservations to the UK rose 4.3% in the 28 days to July 21, compared to the same period last year – reversing the trend in the month before the 23 June vote when bookings were 2.8% lower.

Bookings from outside Europe rose 8.6% over the same period last year, driven by visitors from the United States and Canada, having been down 0.1% in the month before Brexit.

However, bookings from Europe were 1.8% lower – albeit still an uptick on the 6.8% decline recorded in the four weeks before Brexit.

Olivier Jager, chief executive of ForwardKeys said much of the uptick in bookings was down to a weaker pound, with the currency having shed nearly 10% against both the dollar and euro.

"Brexit had an immediate, positive impact on inbound tourism to the UK, which is converting into better than anticipated arrivals," he added.