Research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that the UK’s travel and tourism sector’s contribution to the economy could rise to £192 billion in 2022 – 19% below pre-pandemic levels.
The global tourism body predicts the recovery will be “healthy” as long as travel restrictions and unnecessary testing protocols remain “off limits” for the rest of the year.
The research findings also predict a net gain in jobs for the sector, with a rise of 1.7% on pre-pandemic levels.
An estimated 4.3 million people will be employed within travel and tourism in the UK by the end of the year, 70,000 more than in 2019.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “Travel and tourism to and from the UK is poised for a full recovery.
“By the end of this year, we estimate its contribution to national economy could reach £192 billion.
“While the UK was one of the worst hit in terms of the sector’s contribution to GDP, the future is looking positive.
“But this will depend on the government keeping to its pledge to re-open UK Plc and not reintroducing the chaotic travel restrictions that actually had zero impact on the spread of the virus.”
Earlier this week, the WTTC said that government travel restrictions imposed to combat Omicron caused an estimated £7 billion loss to the UK economy last year.
And last week, the body forecast that the global travel and tourism sector’s contribution to the global economy could reach $8.6 trillion this year, 6.4% behind pre-pandemic levels.
More: Unnecessary Omicron travel curbs ‘cost UK £7bn’
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