A Brexit pledge that Britain would “out-compete other major tourism destinations” has fallen flat, with inbound travellers’ spending falling sharply in 2018.

As a result of the slump in revenue, the UK’s “tourism deficit” is bigger than ever, estimated to be £22.5bn.

Soon after the EU referendum, pro-Brexit MPs lined up to enthuse about the benefits for UK tourism of leaving the European Union.

“Brexit will enable our wonderful tourism industry to thrive further still,” said the keen Brexiteer and Conservative MP for South East Cornwall, Sheryll Murray, in a parliamentary debate in October 2016.

Nigel Huddleston, Tory MP for Mid Worcestershire, said: “One of the plus points of Brexit and the weak pound is that it makes visits to the UK comparatively more affordable.”

Top 20 UK tourist attractions Show all 20 1 /20 Top 20 UK tourist attractions Top 20 UK tourist attractions 20. Stonehenge The Wiltshire prehistoric monument saw 1.5m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 19. National Portrait Gallery The London gallery had 1.58m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 18. Royal Academy The London gallery had 1.6m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 17. St Paul's Cathedral The London cathedral saw 1.65m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 16. Scottish National Gallery The Edinburgh gallery had 1.7m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 15. Royal Albert Hall The London concert hall had 1.75m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 14. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew The London gardens saw 1.8m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 13. Chester Zoo Chester zoo saw 1.9m visitors in 2018 AFP/Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 12. Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle had 2.1m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 11. National Museum of Scotland The Edinburgh museum had 2.2m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 10. Royal Museums Greenwich The London museums had 2.5m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 9. Tower of London The London attraction had 2.9m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 8. Somerset House The London arts and entertainment venue had 3.1m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 7. Science Museum The London museum had 3.17m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 6. Victoria & Albert Museum The London gallery had 3.9m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 5. Southbank Centre The London arts centre had 4.4m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 4. Natural History Museum The London museum saw 5.2m visitors in 2018 Top 20 UK tourist attractions 3. National Gallery The London gallery had 5.7m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 2. British Museum The London museum had 5.82m visitors in 2018 Getty Top 20 UK tourist attractions 1. Tate Modern The London gallery had 5.86m visitors in 2018 Getty

In the same debate, the-then tourism minister, Tracey Crouch – now calling for a no-deal Brexit – said the government’s tourism strategy would “help Britain out-compete other major tourism destinations, to welcome more international visitors than ever before”.

But figures for 2018 revealed by the Office for National Statistics show a fall in visitor numbers and a slump in earnings from them, with the tourism balance of payments deficit bigger than ever.

There were 3 per cent fewer overseas visitors last year than in 2017, representing 1.2 million travellers. Collectively they spent 7 per cent less, a drop of £1.6bn.

Travelling in the opposite direction, 1 per cent fewer British holidaymakers headed abroad, but spending increased by 1 per cent.

For financial purposes, outbound tourism represents an import while inbound visitors’ spending is an export. The tourism balance of payments deficit – the excess spent by UK travellers abroad over income from foreign visitors to Britain – is wider than ever, at £22.5bn.

The chairman of the branding consultancy Landor, Peter Knapp, blamed the Brexit shambles at Westminster: “The indecisiveness of politicians in handling the situation has damaged Britain’s standing in the world and we can see the tangible effect of this in the decline in the number of tourists visiting the country.”

The director of VisitBritain, Patricia Yates, said: “Last year was the second highest year on record after a stellar 2017 for inbound tourism to the UK, both for the number of visits and for spending.

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“We have however seen a slow-down from Europe with our research showing concern on the impact that the uncertainty of Brexit is having for visitors from the EU.

“VisitBritain is working very hard to reassure visitors that our message of warm welcome remains.”

London, with 19.1 million overnight visits, remains disproportionately ahead of other cities. In second place was Edinburgh – with 92 per cent fewer overseas visitors. Manchester was in third place.