UK travel and tourism sector to hit £192bn in 2022, says WTTC
It forecasts that the global travel and tourism sector’s contribution to the global economy could reach £6.3tn this year, just 6.4% behind pre-pandemic levels.
The UK’s travel and tourism sector is predicted to rise to £192bn by the end of 2022, just 19% below pre-pandemic levels, according to new data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
The WTTC forecasts a “healthy recovery” for the sector if travel restrictions and “unnecessary” testing protocols remain off limits for the rest of the year.
It added it could also mean a net gain in jobs for the sector, with a rise of 1.7% on pre pandemic levels, resulting in some 4.3 million people being employed within travel and tourism by the end of the year – 70,000 more than in 2019.
Last week, research from WTTC revealed that as the world began its recovery from pandemic, the sector’s contribution to both the global economy and employment could reach almost pre-pandemic levels this year.
It forecasts that the global travel and tourism sector’s contribution to the global economy could reach £6.3tn this year, just 6.4% behind pre-pandemic levels.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO, said: “Travel and tourism to and from the UK is poised for a full recovery. By the end of this year, we estimate its contribution to the national economy could reach £192bn.
“While the UK was one of the worst hit in terms of the sector’s contribution to GDP, the future is looking positive. But this will depend on the government keeping to its pledge to re-open UK Plc and not reintroducing the chaotic travel restrictions that actually had zero impact on the spread of the virus.”
