Driving Export Growth:
A Manifesto for the UK’s Inbound Visitor Economy
On 14 May 2024 UKinbound launched its manifesto for the UK’s inbound visitor economy: an industry worth £34 billion to the UK economy in export value with a potential to grow 20% by 2027, and which supports over 500,000 jobs in cities and regional economies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 
However, international tourism is incredibly competitive and whilst the UK is renowned as a fantastic destination to visit, we cannot assume that high-value visitors will continue to choose or return to the UK. To ensure the UK reaches – and exceeds – its export growth potential in the short and long term, we have set out a suite of policy measures and reforms that supports UK jobs and businesses, and that would significantly enhance this incredibly valuable export industry and Britain PLC.
OUR PROPOSED POLICY MEASURES AND REFORMS ARE:
BUILDING BRAND BRITAIN
- Expand and reform the Youth Mobility Scheme
- Extend passport-free travel schemes for under 18-year-olds
- Create home-grown talent with language skills
THRIVING IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET
- Enhance the UK’s competitiveness via a reduced-price five-year visitor visa
- Make the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) more competitive
- Boost regional economic growth through the introduction of a new VAT Reclaim Scheme
- Reinstate our national tourism board budgets to pre-inflationary levels to strengthen international marketing
