Outbound travel’s economic contribution in the UK totals £28.3 billion, representing 1.8% of the UK’s GDP, new research reveals.
The total includes a direct contribution of £11.7 billion, which is equivalent to 0.8% of UK GDP.
Outbound travel also supports 214,000 jobs directly and 435,000 in the wider economy.
This represents a greater UK employment contribution than the country’s postal and courier industries, and those involved in the manufacture of food products and electrical equipment, according to the study published by Abta today (Wednesday).
The ‘Driving Growth’ report, which will be unveiled at the association’s annual Travel Matters conference, seeks to underline the value of outbound tourism and to challenge the so-called ‘tourism deficit’ – the difference in spend by UK residents abroad, and foreign residents’ spend in the UK.
The report carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, shows that holidaymakers spend more than £34 billion in the UK before going abroad.
The report argues that outbound travel possesses “enormous potential”, with the sector in prime position to capitalise on economic recovery and the growth in household disposable income projected in the next five years.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer will present the report’s findings, highlighting outbound travel’s integral part of the UK’s tourism mix of inbound, outbound and domestic travel businesses.
He said: “Outbound travel is a key part of the UK’s vibrant tourism mix and has enormous potential for growth.
“With a new government in place, and the Budget just around the corner, important decisions are about to be made.
“The message from Travel Matters will be clear: MPs and government must ensure that we have in place the right policy and tax framework to allow the UK’s tourism mix to reach its full potential in the years ahead.”