Official figures show a continuing rise in overseas visitors to the UK in November 2012, part of a long-term trend that could put hotel furniture under heightened demand for 2013 as a whole.
The latest report from the Office for National Statistics updates inbound tourism figures as far as November 2012, and leaves the UK on track to hit its target of 31 million visitors for the full year.
In particular, the results show a 9% increase in holiday visits from overseas tourists, a 6% rise in visits to friends and family living in the UK, and an 11% growth in business trips into the country.
National tourism agency VisitBritain adds that total spend by tourists in 2012 up to and including November reached £17.2 billion.
Director of strategy Patricia Yates comments: "We expect to reach our forecast of 31 million visits for the full year, giving us the perfect foundation to see continued strong growth in international tourism in 2013."
As the trend continues, many hoteliers might find 2013 to be a good time to invest in new hotel furniture.
Whether refreshing existing beds and seating with more modern alternatives, or adding extra capacity to rooms that are not currently reaching their full potential, it is clear that the prospects for the British hotel industry did not come to an end with the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.