THE Central Devon MP has welcomed statistics that show more foreign visitors came to Devon last year than any other year since figures were first recorded in 2006. Some 536,000 international tourists spent £259 million during their stays in Devon, representing a 38% rise in visitors compared with 2012. This far exceeded the national average increase of 3% over the same period.  Speaking after a meeting with VisitBritain, the national tourism agency funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, at which Mr Stride discussed ways in which tourism can be better promoted within his constituency, Central Devon MP Mel Stride said: 'Devon is a truly remarkable tourist destination with spectacular beaches, unspoilt countryside and more listed buildings than any other county in the UK. 'It was good to meet with VisitBritain – the organisation responsible for promoting Britain worldwide – to learn more about how the UK is promoted internationally as well as specifically discuss how Devon is marketed. 'Clearly the county is producing the goods and international visitors are voting with their feet.'