Date: 17 February 2026
- Billions of pounds would “disappear from the economy” as international visitor numbers dry up
- “Domino effect” would lead to tens of thousands of job losses among SMEs
- The research also shows that 39% of Brits would consider a holiday somewhere else if a £10 visitor tax was introduced
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the private sector in the Travel & Tourism industry, has published new research which highlights the damage that would be done to the UK economy if new visitor levies are introduced.
The research findings, conducted among 2,502 people by WTTC and research agency GSIQ between 7th and 11th February, have been released as the UK Government will tomorrow (Wednesday) end a consultation on whether Mayoral Strategic Authorities should be given powers to introduce tourism levies across England.
The research found that, of those interviewed in the largest visitor source markets to the UK – from the USA, France and Germany – 29% would consider alternative destinations or decide not to visit the UK if a tax of €10 was introduced.
A substantial drop in visitors to the UK would have a fundamental impact on the economy. In 2027, the reduction in visitor spend from all international source markets could amount to GBP £14.4billion if the tax were set at €10.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC’s President and CEO, said:
“Our research couldn’t be any clearer – proposed visitor taxes would lead to a slump in international visitor numbers to the UK, as well as far fewer domestic visitors to popular English destinations. Billions of pounds will be wiped from the UK economy, leading to much higher unemployment, especially among small shops, restaurants and suppliers to the hospitality sector.”
The research also finds that UK residents are reacting even more negatively to the threat of a levy than international visitors. Those certain to visit drop dramatically when asked about possible levies, with 39% of Brits saying they would consider somewhere else, or definitely not holiday in the UK, if the tax is set at £10.
The proposed visitor tax would likely affect families the most. 42% of those interviewed said it would be “a big issue or very big issue” when travelling as a family.
Recent WTTC data shows global Travel & Tourism GDP is forecast to have grown by 6.7% in 2025, while the UK is expected to have grown by just 4.3%, meaning UK growth is running at 36% below the global average.
Travel & Tourism supports around 4.5 million jobs in the UK, equivalent to roughly one in eight jobs nationwide, underlining the importance of maintaining competitiveness in a sector that plays a critical role in employment and regional growth.
For more information about WTTC, please visit wttc.org
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About WTTC:
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global, private sector voice of the Travel & Tourism industry. Its members include the Chairmen/women, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies, spanning airlines, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, technology firms and more. Through this unified membership, WTTC works with governments and international institutions to drive sustainable growth, support exports, create jobs, and deliver prosperity globally.
For more than three decades, WTTC has championed the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. Its rigorous, data-driven research quantifies the sector’s impact — on GDP, employment, exports and wider societal benefits — helping shape policies, raise awareness, and foster public-private collaboration