Read ABTA's report on the priorities for the Brexit negotiations.

As the UK and EU prepare to negotiate for a future trading agreement, and to put in place transitional arrangements, ABTA is publishing research to demonstrate the importance of UK travellers to the economies of all EU countries. The report also reflects on the importance of the industry to the UK.

This report’s aim is to provide travel businesses and the travel consumer with facts and assessments to help inform the discussion of what a vote to leave the EU might mean for UK travel.

Investing for the future, enabling competitiveness, building confidence in travel.

Outbound travel’s economic contribution in the UK totals £28.3 billion, representing 1.8% of UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This includes a direct contribution of £11.7 billion, which is equivalent to 0.8% of UK GDP.

The UK’s tourism and aviation industries are economic success stories. This report is an exploration of the interconnectivity of these industries, and an analysis of how flights to, from, and within the UK underpin the success of one of the UK’s largest and most vibrant industries.

Tourism in the UK is a vital source of economic activity, contributing to GDP and supporting jobs across the UK’s regions and nations through a mix of inbound, outbound and domestic tourism. In seeking to understand more closely the scale and structure of employment within the UK’s travel and tourism industry, the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) was commissioned by ABTA to undertake a detailed study of employment associated with tourism activity.

Every part of the traveller’s journey – from booking through to support when on holiday – is affected by the UK’s membership of the EU. Getting a good deal from the Brexit negotiations will be vital for the millions of people who travel between the UK and the EU each year.