Rise in overseas travel recorded

The number of people who travelled overseas from the UK during the final quarter of 2006 rose by two per cent, according to new government figures.

Research from the Office for National Statistics reveals that 17.2 million journeys abroad were made by British residents between October and December, with holidaymakers also spending more money while away.

Overall, 68.4 million trips were made by Britons during the course of 2006, a three per cent rise compared with the previous year.

About 4.5 million travellers visited North America last year, with destinations in western Europe and elsewhere in the world proving particularly popular.

Earlier this month, travel information provider OAG revealed that more than 6.3 million passengers a day were carried by the world's scheduled airlines in 2006, a significant increase compared with 2005.

A record three billion seats were made available to the British public last year, said OAG.

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