VisitBritain has welcomed the results of an online survey that named London as the best international holiday destination for American gay and lesbian travellers.

The results, from the 12th Annual Gay & Lesbian Tourism Survey – carried out by Community Marketing – was completed by 6,700 people, 8 per cent of which had visited the capital in the last 12 months.

Tom Wright, VisitBritain chief executive, said: “We have marketed Britain as a destination in America’s gay and lesbian communities for nearly a decade.

“With American visitors down by 5 per cent so far this year, it’s important that we tell as many of them as possible about all they can enjoy in this country. In the tradition of Britain’s inclusive society, our campaign expresses the diversity of experience that all our visitors, whatever their sexuality, can enjoy here.”