The 2015 figures have been released by the Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey (IPS) and represent a 5.9% increase on the same period in 2014.

The growth in visitor numbers is also being enjoyed across the country, with 10.5 million visits made in the same period across the UK, representing a 4.7% increase.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson MP said: “London is the best big city on the planet. We really know how to roll out the red carpet and put on a show for the millions of visitors who flock here year after year.

“Only last week, Lumiere London, the city’s biggest-ever light festival, gave over a million people an unforgettable experience in the West End and King’s Cross.

“With another exciting programme of events planned this year, as well as our unbeatable cultural and other attractions, we are looking forward to welcoming even more tourists in the months ahead.”

London has also recorded a rise in the number of domestic visits to the city, with 9.3 million trips to London during the first nine months of 2015 and contributing £2.25 billion to London’s economy.

Good news for the capital and the UK!