ABTA predicts the UK outbound travel market could sell to a £62 billion a year industry by 2030 if it is aided by government support.
It detailed the industry’s potential in the ‘Outbound travel: a catalyst for jobs, growth and wellbeing’ report.
ABTA believes there is room to add another £10 billion to the economy, from the current £52 billion.
The report was presented at ABTA’s Travel Matters conference.
It says one area of focus should be the UK’s regional airports.
It says they are especially reliant on the outbound leisure segment, which makes up at least three-quarters of passenger traffic.
At East Midlands for example, this proportion is 90%.
To accelerate the outbound market, there needs to be the ‘right tax framework’ ABTA said.
“This Government has been clear that it wants to secure growth for the economy and towns and cities across the UK. With the Spending Review, we’re urging the Government to capitalise on the growth potential presented by outbound travel,” said ABTA CEO Mark Tanzer.
“One of the things that we are highlighting is the opportunity for the UK to be a leader in sustainable travel, recognising that the industry needs to grow in a responsible way.”
“We’re also reminding the government that the travel industry is an important facilitator of growth in other sectors.”
