UK Loses £2.2 Billion Due to Drop in International Tourism Spending, Warns WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has warned that the UK lost over £2.2 billion in exports due to a drop in international visitor spending in 2024, compared to pre-pandemic levels. This decline occurs amid higher taxes, bureaucratic hurdles, and budget cuts to the tourism sector.

According to the WTTC’s 2025 Economic Impact Report, the travel and tourism sector contributed £286 billion to the UK economy in 2024, representing 10% of the country’s GDP and a 3.9% increase compared to 2019. It also generated 4.2 million jobs, though this figure remains below pre-pandemic levels.

However, international visitor spending reached only £40.3 billion, 5.3% below 2019 levels. This translates into a loss of £2.2 billion, comparable to the government’s budget to hire 6,500 new teachers or improve school infrastructure across the UK.

The WTTC points out that the UK has become one of the most expensive destinations in Europe due to political decisions such as:

-Elimination of VAT-free shopping

-Increase in the Air Passenger Duty

-New restrictions like the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system

-More than 40% budget cut to VisitBritain, the national tourism promotion agency

These measures, the WTTC warns, disproportionately affect regions outside London and widen territorial inequalities.

Although the UK government has backed projects such as Europe’s first Universal theme park and airport expansions at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton, the WTTC warns that their benefits won’t be immediate and will only be effective if current travel barriers are removed.

“These are not global pressures but deliberate political choices that are costing the UK economy,” states the WTTC.

Finally, the council urges Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognize tourism’s potential as an economic and employment engine, and to make decisions that foster its growth.