Liverpool has overtaken Glasgow to become the UK's fifth most-popular destination for tourists, following the city's successful Capital of Culture programme, latest figures from Visit Britain have revealed.

While London prepares for a huge influx of international visitors for this summer's Olympic Games, latest data from Britain's national tourist agency indicates the capital also extended its global appeal in 2011 – attracting 15.2 million foreign visitors, and providing a much-needed boost to the economy in the process.