Americans are flocking to Britain but UK tourists are shunning the States, official figures out today revealed.

North Americans made 7% more visits to the UK in the first 11 months of last year than in the same period in 2005, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

However, the number of visits UK residents made to North America dipped 9% in January to November last year.

The decline has come despite a favourable pound-to-dollar exchange for Britons. Some tourism experts have pointed to the increasing levels of airport security in the US and the consequent delays as a possible reason for the decrease in UK visits.

UK residents made over 64 million visits overseas in the first 11 months of last year - an increase of 3%. They spent £31.5bn during these trips - 3% more than in the same period in 2005.

Meanwhile, the UK received almost 30 million overseas visitors between January and November last year - up 7% on the same period in 2005. During this time, they spent over £14bn - up 8% on the 2005 period.