The New West End Company (NWEC) has reported that an additional 600,000 visitors are set to flock to London's West End this summer, generating a further £30m in expenditure.

Hotels, restaurants and bars are expected to benefit from the influx of visitors, with NWEC confirming that Middle Eastern travellers alone are expected to spend £210m in the area. International visitor numbers are expected to peak in late July, while it is also believed there will be an increase in the number of UK residents travelling into the capital.

Heart of London Business Alliance (HLBA) represents in excess of 200 businesses within the leisure and entertainment industry in Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. HLBA's Karen Baines said: "Already in July, we saw our strongest weekend visitor numbers of 2011, and anticipate that the tourist peak this month will ensure July is a strong month for the night-time economy of the West End."

Kevin Rockey, general manager of W London - Leicester Square, added: "The hotel is running at occupancy levels of nearly 90 per cent which is unprecedented for a property that has been open for less than six months." Image: Umezo KAMATA