UK: Outbound travel now boosts economy more than pre-pandemic

Overseas travel contributed nearly £52 billion to the UK economy last year, surpassing pre-Covid levels, according to Abta

Dec 4, 2024

The association reports that outbound travel contributed £51.6 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy, a 5% increase on pre-pandemic levels of £49 billion. Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer noted that the sector also supports 818,000 jobs through its extensive UK supply chain.

Key takeaways

• Travel’s contribution to GDP, employment and taxation is expected to outpace the wider economy with the right policies and infrastructure;
• Despite its recovery, the industry faces challenges. While the pandemic dealt a severe blow, overtourism protests now present a contrasting issue;
• Destinations must adopt new flow management models to balance environmental and social impacts, as seen in places like Majorca, which is leading this shift.

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