London Wins Award as Favourite City in UK

London has, for the fourth year running, won the award of Favourite UK City in the 2014 Condé Nast Traveller Reader's Travel Awards.

The capital took out 14 of the 15 best UK Business Hotels awards, with the Corinthia Hotel’s ESPA Life spa being named the best UK Hotel Spa.

The Condé Nast award follows the respected Mastercard Global Cities Index report in July, where London was crowned the most popular tourist destination in the world with international visitor projections for 2014 at 18.7 million.

The record-breaking trend in international visitor numbers to the capital continued in the first three months of 2014, with over 3.6 million overseas visits resulting in the best ever first quarter tourism numbers in the city’s history.

Julie Chappell, Director of VisitLondon.com said, “The unique offer that the capital boasts including its rich cultural calendar, sporting and major events, and world famous attractions means that visitors from all over the world can experience the vibrancy and ever-changing nature each time they come."

Visitors are coming to London in ever increasing numbers to attend the capital’s calendar of world-class exhibitions, visit the city’s famous landmarks, enjoy its diverse culture, and watch major sporting events including Tour de France which saw one million people take to the capital’s streets.

Culture remains the leading driver for tourists, with eight out of ten citing it as the main reason they visit the capital.

The blockbuster autumn season includes the largest exhibition of British First World War art for almost 100 years at the Imperial War Museum; a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the passion and innovation of Rembrandt's influential late works at the National Gallery; and a major exhibition offering a new interpretation of one of Britain’s best-loved artists, John Constable, at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Summer events also expected to entice visitors to the capital include the Totally Thames River Festival, the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival which will see 50 historic vessels sail down The Thames, the Royal Childhood exhibition during the Buckingham Palace summer opening and the landmark annual event, The Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.