The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has raised concerns about the UK Home Office’s proposal to increase the cost of Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) by 60% to GBP 16. The IATA argues that this hike could adversely affect the UK’s attractiveness as a travel destination.

In a statement released on January 17, Director-General Willie Walsh stated:

“If implemented, it would be a self-inflicted blow to the UK’s tourism competitiveness. In November, the government laid out plans to increase tourist arrivals by 30 percent to reach 50 million annually by 2030 in pursuit of tourism’s economic benefits. Gouging these travelers with a 60% increase in the ETA is a very bad start. The added cost would come on top of the Air Passenger Duty (APD), the biggest travel tax in the world, which itself will increase again in April. Let’s not forget that travelers have a choice, and the EU’s ETIAS will be of far better value: costing about a third as much as this proposed pricing and lasting a year longer.”

Walsh emphasized the need for the UK government to consider the broader implications of such policies, pointing out that high fees would deter potential visitors right from the start of their travel planning. He concluded with:

“It makes no sense to discourage visitors with high costs even before they set foot in the country.”

UK aviation and tourism currently support 1.6 million jobs and contribute US$160.7 billion to the country’s GDP.