The UK’s outbound travel sector is projected to grow 20% by 2030, reaching an annual value of £62 billion, according to new data from Abta. The report positions outbound travel as a critical contributor to the UK economy, up from its current £52 billion valuation, with significant implications for regional infrastructure and wider economic resilience.
The study highlights the role of outbound travel in sustaining regional airports, where leisure travel accounts for up to 90% of passenger volume in specific locations, such as the East Midlands, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and Exeter. Without robust outbound demand, these airports risk financial instability, which could undermine inbound tourism and harm local economies that rely on visitor spending.
Abta also underlines the broader commercial ripple effect, including support for domestic tourism and facilitation of international trade via business travel and cargo transported on passenger flights.
However, the trade body warns that realising this potential depends on government support through targeted tax and regulatory reforms. These include advancing sustainable aviation fuel initiatives, easing UK-EU travel frictions, and avoiding compounding taxes on tourism businesses.
Abta is calling for policy acceleration and strategic backing to position the UK as a global leader in sustainable travel and strengthen the sector’s contribution to jobs, trade, and regional development.
