Today, we have some good news for UK’s travel industry. Can you guess? Well! British holiday flyers are coming back and this time in a full swing.
According to a leading data and analytics company, GlobalData, the country’s travel outbound figures are expected to touch 86.9 million by 2024. Despite Europe’s economic decline, this record will outclass 2019’s 84.7 million figure.
According to “United Kingdom (UK) Source Tourism Insight, 2022 Update,” GlobalData’s most recent report, the UK’s outbound tourism numbers have recovered after two weak years. 2020 and 2021 saw lower traveller confidence and strict COVID-19 regulations, causing a decline in the numbers compared to 2019.
GlobalData’s Travel and Tourism Analyst, Megan Cross commented, “The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on international travel from the UK with the outbound tourism numbers witnessing a 78.2% year-on-year (YoY) decline from 84.7 million in 2019 to 18.5 million in 2020, before a further decline in 2021 (-11.7% YoY) to a mere 16.3 million. With restrictions now eased, and confidence returning, projections for 2022 and beyond are much brighter. This recovery will be a great boost, as the UK is an important source market on the global stage.”
As a result of budgets being reevaluated due to increased costs, British tourists are searching more for affordable solutions. According to a GlobalData survey, “affordability” was a key consideration by 48% of British respondents when deciding on their holiday destinations.
Cross continues: “The periods of high inflation will typically see severely dampened demand for international travel. However, as seen from multiple stories about queues at European airports, the demand is still intact. Many European travellers keen on keeping their holiday plans may simply cut the amount they spend on products and services both before and during their trips. For example, travellers who usually stay in midscale hotels may now lean towards budget forms of accommodation to keep the costs down. This will certainly play into the hands of companies that already target budget travellers.”
Due to convenient, direct travel options between the two nations, Spain continues to be the most popular destination for Britishers. Additionally, Spain provides British tourists with reliable beaches and sun spots with COVID-19-safe experiences. Prior to the pandemic, the UK had consistently been Spain’s largest source of inbound tourists. But the numbers dramatically decreased after the pandemic, from 18 million British visitors in 2019 to 3.2 million and 3.5 million in 2020 and 2021 respectively. With fewer worries and constraints, the 18.7 million British tourists that Spain anticipates will arrive by 2024 will provide the country’s tourism industry with a much-needed boost.
The lack of British tourists during the pandemic had an impact on many nations, particularly in Europe, says Cross. The recuperation times of spots that can meet the unique needs of British tourists will speed up in the future.