International travel increases its contribution to the UK economy – rising to £88.5bn per year

New figures from ABTA and UKinbound reveal the combined economic contribution to the UK economy from inbound and outbound travel has increased to £88.5bn per year¹, up from £80bn².

In addition, international travel supports 1.4 million jobs throughout the UK.

The findings, published in a new two-page report which will be shared with politicians at an event at the Labour Party conference on Sunday 27th September, also provide a breakdown of how the industry supports the UK’s nations and regions.

For example, in the North West, where the Labour Party conference is being held, outbound travel contributes £6.4bn and inbound generates £3.5bn for the economies in the region, supporting 98,000 and 57,000 jobs respectively.

The associations say this regional breakdown is critical when engaging with a government that wants to see a boost to all parts of the UK, as it clearly demonstrates that the travel industry is delivering on this ambition, with the potential for further growth providing the right policy framework is put in place.

It’s also important that the government recognises how inbound and outbound travel are interdependent and interlinked. Both use the same infrastructure, such as ports and airports, and can help support flight route viability which is crucial for regional and national connectivity. A strong outbound sector can help to grow inbound, and vice-versa.

The data on economic value to the UK of international data is commissioned by ABTA and UKinbound on a regular basis and is the source of information used by the wider travel industry in its engagement with policymakers. It also underpins work with the Future Travel Coalition, of which ABTA and UKinbound are both members.

The new publication is available at www.abta.com/internationaltravel2026.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:

“Our latest research shows that travel remains an economic powerhouse, supporting jobs and growth in communities across every nation and region of the UK.

“We know the government is focused on delivering for all parts of the country, and our message is clear: travel is already doing its bit, but with the right policy support we can go even further. We look forward to having this conversation with politicians at the Labour party conference, which will include highlighting our policy asks to facilitate a competitive and growing industry.”

Joss Croft OBE, CEO, UKinbound said: 

“The inbound visitor economy delivers far-reaching benefits across the UK, generating export earnings that flow directly into destinations, businesses and local communities. Every Pound spent by in the UK by an international visitor represents new money coming into our economy, helping to spread prosperity across all nations and regions.

“Ahead of Labour Party Conference, this research demonstrates why tourism deserves a central place in the UK's growth strategy. By improving our competitiveness and making it easier for international visitors to choose Britain, we can attract more visitors and ensure even more communities benefit from the economic opportunities they bring.”

Notes to editors
¹GVA
²Previous figures from the 2024 International Travel report.

The figures quoted are from a full report on the value of travel prepared by economic consultancy, York Aviation, for ABTA - The Travel Association in September 2026. More information is available on abta.com.

About ABTA
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 3,500 travel brands in membership who have a combined annual UK turnover of over £41 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.

Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.

All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com

About UKinbound
UKinbound is a leading travel trade association and the only one which focuses solely on the interests of the UK’s inbound visitor economy. It has a membership of over 500 UK businesses from all corners of the country which spans the full spectrum of inbound tourism sectors, including attractions and experiences, tour operators, DMCs and OTAs, transport and aviation, accommodation providers, destinations and service providers. It is our mission to help members manage successful, profitable businesses as part of a vibrant and sustainable industry.

For more information about UKinbound visit www.ukinbound.org

About York 
York Aviation is a specialist firm of air transport consultants providing a complete consultancy service for the airports business, including aviation policy advice, economic impact assessment, air traffic forecasting, and specialist advice on airport capacity assessment and planning. York Aviation is the leading provider of airport and travel-related socio-economic impact advice in the UK. Its clients include airport operators, airlines, financial institutions, government agencies, industry associations and regional authorities