Edinburgh 'UK's second city among foreign visitors'

Edinburgh Airport saw an increasing number of foreign visitors last year as the Scottish capital rose in prominence as a holiday destination among foreigners, according to new figures.

The Association of British Travel Agents released statistics showing that Edinburgh was the UK's second most popular destination among foreigners in 2007 after London, the Edinburgh Evening News reports.

Hubs such as Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport enabled London to take the lion's share of the visitor market, with 13.9 million foreign travellers, while Edinburgh welcomed some 1.13 million visitors.

London was also the top location with UK holidaymakers, with 4.88 million visitors, followed by Blackpool (1.63 million) and Edinburgh (1.37 million).

Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain, said city breaks had become a very popular option among travellers of all nationalities and stressed the importance of airports and flight routes in this success.

"Our international visitors' choice of destination is heavily influenced by the increasing number of flights now arriving into our capitals and regional cities," he said.

"For Britons, while city destinations are increasingly popular, it's obvious that we still have an abiding affection for the traditional seaside holiday."