UK residents made just one million visits abroad by air in the second quarter of this year, which was 95% fewer than the same period in 2019.
And they spent £1.1 billion on visits abroad in the period of April to June – 93% less than in the same quarter of 2019.
The figures, released today by the Office for National Statistics, show the unprecedented impact on travel amid the Covid pandemic.
The largest number of visits was made to Europe (733,000), but represented a fall of 96% against 2019.
Holidays were the least likely reason for UK residents’ visits abroad, as there were just 173,000 holidays. Visits to see friends or relatives was the most common reason for travelling, accounting for 60% of all visits in the period (602,000).
Looking at inbound travel, the ONS said overseas residents made 277,000 visits by air to the UK in April, May and June – 97% fewer than in Q2 2019.
These overseas residents spent £386 million on their visits – 94% less than the same period of 2019.
The latest update from the ONS only includes visits by air as there were insufficient figures from sea and tunnel crossings because of coronavirus restrictions.
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