More Brits jet to US in January

There was an increase in the number of British people hopping on flights to the United States in January, according to government figures.

America's department of commerce revealed that arrivals from the UK were six per cent higher in January 2008 than in the previous year, following strong growth in 2007.

Flights to the US are available from a number of UK hubs, including Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and Edinburgh Airport, all of which offer hotels and airport parking facilities.

The total number of visitors to the US in January this year reached 3.4 million, 11 per cent more than the previous year.

Department of commerce spokesman William G Sutton said: "The travel and tourism industry has a growing and positive impact on our economy.

"The strong start in 2008 builds on the momentum set in 2007, which was a record-breaking year for international arrivals and receipts."

America's tourism industry is worth $1.3 trillion and employs some 8.7 million people.