Our Value
Our Value to the UK Economy
The UK Outbound Travel sector stands as an economic powerhouse, contributing over £80 billion annually to the nation's economy. UK Outbound travellers also contribute some £51bn in local economies through sales of travel-related products and services prior to travel.
Far from simply representing money leaving the country, this robust industry creates a vast ecosystem of employment stretching throughout the UK and directly supporting 354,000 jobs up and down the country.
The pandemic was arguably the most challenging period on record for the UK Outbound Travel industry, with international travel largely closed down, aircraft grounded, operations at a standstill and many thousands of travel industry workers furloughed.
Over the five years that have followed, the market has made a remarkable recovery. When travel bans were lifted, pent-up demand surged, and year after year the travel ecosystem has demonstrated not only extraordinary resilience, but significant growth.
Today, the sector is positioned as a powerhouse for future growth, with projections suggesting continued expansion as consumers continue to prioritise international experiences. This resilient industry not only strengthens the UK's global connectivity but also offers significant potential for further economic development.
£80 billion
annually contributed to the UK's economy
£51 billion
generated for local economies through travel-related purchases
354,000 jobs
supported across the UK
Simplifying regulation and Supporting SME Growth
Delivering customer choice and high standards of services sit at the heart of the businesses that operate as part of the UK Outbound Travel sector. Whether that be travel agent or tour operators, they all strive to go above and beyond for their customers.
However, our industry is currently governed by a complex web of regulations that increase costs and restrict growth, and we believe that the ongoing review of the Package Travel Regulations (PTRs) provides an opportunity to introduce a simplified and more cohesive regulatory framework for the UK Outbound Travel industry that would allow us to better protect UK consumers and offer an even wider choice, whilst driving economic growth.
A Holistic Approach to the Travel Industry
Unlike other parts of the tourism sector, in particular aviation, UK Outbound Travel is mainly comprised of SMEs, including many family-run businesses with longstanding ties to their local communities. Our members frequently experience disproportionate negative impacts from regulatory changes and economic downturns. It is also imperative to distinguish our sector from the aviation sector, which often dominates discussions and policy related to UK travel. A holistic approach is necessary to recognise the diverse challenges faced by different segments of our industry.
Our mission as a group is to advocate for the businesses - mainly SMEs - that make up our sector and ensure that they are well-placed to continue to drive growth across the UK.
