
The number of UK citizens travelling abroad each year is a figure that has fluctuated over time, impacted by various factors such as the global economic climate, political events, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paragraph, we will explore the annual number of UK citizens travelling abroad and analyse any notable trends or patterns.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of visits abroad by UK residents | 93.1 million (2019) |
23.8 million (2020) | |
86.21 million (2023) | |
Spending by UK residents on visits abroad | £62.3 billion (2019) |
£13.8 billion (2020) | |
Average number of holidays abroad per UK resident | 1.3 (2021-2022) |
What You'll Learn
- UK residents spent £62.3 billion on visits abroad in 2019
- Holiday was the most popular reason for UK residents to visit another country in 2019
- Spain was the most visited country by UK residents in 2019
- The number of outbound trips from the UK rose in 2023 compared to 2022
- UK residents took an average of 1.3 overseas holidays per person in the 12 months to August 2022
UK residents spent £62.3 billion on visits abroad in 2019
UK residents spent a record amount of £62.3 billion on visits abroad in 2019, a 7% increase compared to 2018. This was driven by a 3% increase in the number of visits overseas by UK residents, from 90.6 million in 2018 to 93.1 million in 2019. The average spend per visit also increased, from £642 in 2018 to £670 in 2019.
Nearly two-thirds of UK residents' visits abroad were for holidays, with 58.7 million holiday visits abroad in 2019, a 2% increase on the previous year. Most of these visitors travelled to countries within the EU (44.6 million). Visiting friends or relatives overseas was also popular, with 23.5 million visits in 2019, up from 6.6 million in 1999. The number of business trips fell slightly in 2019 to 9 million, from a 10-year high of 9.3 million in 2018.
UK residents spent £43.4 billion on holidays abroad in 2019, accounting for 70% of the total spent. Spending on business trips fell by 9% to £6.3 billion, reflecting the decrease in business visits.
Spain was the most visited country by UK residents in 2019, with 18.1 million visits, a 1% increase on 2018. Visits to Spain were mainly for holidays (87% of the total). France, Italy, the US, and the Republic of Ireland were the next most popular destinations, with these top five countries accounting for 46% of all visits abroad and approximately 43% of total spending. Overall, 72% of visits were to EU countries.
Greece saw the largest percentage change in visits between 2018 and 2019, with an 18% increase to 3.4 million visits, 90% of which were for holidays.
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Holiday was the most popular reason for UK residents to visit another country in 2019
Nearly two-thirds of UK residents' visits abroad were for holidays. This trend was constant over the five-year period from 2015 to 2019. There were 58.7 million holiday visits abroad by UK residents in 2019, a 2% increase on the previous year. Most of these visitors travelled to countries within the EU (44.6 million).
Spain was the most visited country by UK residents in 2019, with 18.1 million visits, a 1% increase on 2018. Visits to Spain were mainly for holidays (87% of the total).
The number of visits abroad by UK residents has been increasing steadily over the last 20 years, except for a notable fall observed in 2009. In 2019, UK residents spent a record amount of £62.3 billion on visits abroad, a 7% increase compared to 2018.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted international travel in subsequent years, with a dramatic decline in the number of visits abroad from the UK. In 2021, the total number of visits abroad from the UK reached a record low of around 19 million.
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Spain was the most visited country by UK residents in 2019
In 2019, UK residents made 93.1 million visits abroad, an increase of 3% compared to 2018. Spain was the most visited country by UK residents, with 18.1 million visits, a 1% increase from 2018. The majority of visits to Spain were for holidays, accounting for 87% of the total.
Spain has long been a popular holiday destination for UK residents, and its popularity continues to grow. The number of visits to Spain has been steadily increasing, with only a slight dip in 2009. In 2019, Spain received the highest number of visits from UK residents, followed by France, Italy, the US, and the Republic of Ireland. These top five destinations accounted for approximately 43% of total visits and spend abroad by UK residents.
The coastal regions of southern Spain are the most common places for British residents to live in the country. In 2016, the population of British citizens resident in Spain was 296,600, with 121,000 (40%) aged 65 and over. This number has more than doubled since 2006. The older population of British citizens in Spain has continued to grow, while the size of other age groups has declined.
In addition to long-term residents, there are also many short-term visitors and holidaymakers from the UK to Spain each year. In 2015, there were 219,000 visits of between 1 and 12 months by British citizens, mainly for purposes other than work or study. Spain is also the third most popular destination in the EU for visits to family and friends, receiving 643,000 visits for this purpose in 2016. Additionally, there were over 13 million visits of less than 28 days by British citizens to Spain in 2016, with 11.9 million of those being for holidays.
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The number of outbound trips from the UK rose in 2023 compared to 2022
In 2020, overseas residents made 11.1 million visits to the UK, a 73% decrease compared to 2019 due to the pandemic. Similarly, UK residents made 23.8 million visits abroad in 2020, a 74% drop from the previous year. The total number of visits abroad from the UK fell dramatically during the pandemic, hitting a record low of approximately 19 million in 2021. This sharp decline in outbound travel also resulted in a significant drop in UK outbound tourism expenditure, which decreased by nearly £47 billion in 2021 compared to 2019.
However, the trend shifted in 2023, with the number of outbound trips from the UK showing a substantial increase over the previous year. While the total number of visits abroad from the UK in 2023, amounting to 86.21 million, remained below pre-pandemic levels, it indicates a notable recovery in the travel industry. This increase in outbound travel also led to a rise in outbound tourism expenditure in the UK.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel, UK residents' visits abroad had been steadily increasing over the years. In 2019, there were 93.1 million visits overseas by UK residents, reflecting a 3% increase compared to 2018. This growth in outbound travel corresponded with a rise in spending, as UK residents spent a record £62.3 billion on visits abroad in 2019, a 7% increase from the previous year.
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UK residents took an average of 1.3 overseas holidays per person in the 12 months to August 2022
In 2019, before the pandemic, UK residents took 93.1 million overseas holidays, a record-high figure that represented a 3% increase from 2018. This number decreased dramatically in 2021, during the pandemic, reaching a record low of 19 million.
The number of holidays taken by UK residents has been steadily increasing over the last two decades, except for a notable fall in 2009. Nearly two-thirds of these holidays are for vacations, and this has remained constant over the five-year period from 2015 to 2019. In 2019, Spain was the most popular overseas holiday destination for UK residents, with 18.1 million visits, followed by France, Italy, the US, and the Republic of Ireland.
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Frequently asked questions
There were 86.21 million visits abroad by UK residents in 2023, a significant rise from 2021 but still below pre-pandemic levels.
In 2020, UK residents made 23.8 million visits abroad, a decrease of 74% from the previous year. In 2021, the number of visits abroad from the UK fell to a record low of 19 million.
There were 93.1 million visits overseas by UK residents in 2019, an increase of 3% compared to 2018.