Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in the UK 2019-2034

In 2023, the direct and indirect contribution of travel and tourism to the United Kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) was 9.7 percent lower than in 2019, the year prior to the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Overall, these industries' total contribution to the country's GDP amounted to roughly 239 billion British pounds in 2023. 

Has tourism in the UK recovered from the impact of COVID-19?

While inbound resident visits to the UK dropped to just above seven million in 2021 - the lowest figure reported in two decades - the volume of inbound tourist visits to the United Kingdom rebounded in 2022, and grew to 38 million in 2023. International arrivals, however, remained below pre-pandemic levels. Similarly, while outbound tourist visits from the UK experienced around a fourfold increase in 2022 compared to the previous year, the country still reported around seven million fewer trips abroad in 2023 than in 2019. 

What are Britons’ favorite holiday destinations?

Either before or after the impact of the health crisis, vacationing remained the main travel purpose for outbound visits from the UK. In 2023, Spain was the most visited holiday destination by UK travelers, followed by France, Greece, and Italy.