It reveals that London dominated the theatre world with around 2.2 million foreign tourists spending £1.9 billion on trips involving the capital's theatres last year. The South-East followed, attracting 235,000 foreign theatre goers. The East of England, which features the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft, was next with 133,000 overseas theatre-goers.
Scotland, whose theatrical centres include Glasgow's Theatre Royal and Edinburgh's world famous Festival, attracted 120,000. The North-West of England, which includes Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, brought in 85,000. Welsh theatre, which boasts Cardiff's Millennium Centre, attracted 30,000 and Northern Ireland, which features Derry's Millennium Forum, 15,000.
The national figures came as VisitBritain also issued a detailed report looking closely at the capital: 'Visitors from Overseas to London's Theatre'. It revealed that the enormous range of stage productions on offer at the 40 West End theatres and scores of smaller suburban spaces had a very powerful attraction for foreign travellers in 2009.
The future also looks bright for further growth, because the key groups of overseas visitors who particularly like going to the theatre - holidaymakers and the over 55s - is set to increase and offset falls in business tourism. The report says theatre is a "hidden opportunity" for the tourism industry.
Sandie Dawe, chief executive of VisitBritain said: "Britain has a phenomenal theatre industry. Whether it is a feel-good musical like Billy Elliot or Mamma Mia!, a Shakespearian tragedy, grand opera or beautiful ballet, you are never far from a world class experience. And due to the exceptionally competitive exchange rates it has become a more affordable treat than ever."
(Lee Baldock)
