Unlocking Economic Growth in the UK Outbound Travel Sector

A recent report from ABTA emphasizes the potential for the UK outbound travel sector to achieve a 20% growth by 2030, provided that government support is forthcoming. This aligns with the government’s economic goals and ambitions for public service.

Representative Image: hiking travel in Norway

Key Findings

• £52 billion annual contribution to the economy from outbound travel.
• £10 billion in tax revenue generated by this sector.
• Outbound travel bolsters the national economy and supports inbound tourism.

Many regional airports depend heavily on outbound leisure travel, with East Midlands Airport leading at 90% reliance.

Government’s Role

ABTA stresses that to turn this growth potential into reality, a supportive tax and policy environment is essential. The recent progress on various initiatives, including airport expansion and sustainable aviation fuel development, is promising.

Recommendations

1. Promote sustainable travel practices, including the SAF mandate.
2. Support UK businesses in competing globally by reviewing business rates.
3. Enhance UK-EU relations by addressing trade barriers and quickly establishing a youth experience scheme.

A call to action for the government aims to secure growth while encouraging responsible industry expansion to meet environmental targets.