Fewer Brits going long haul
Travel to North America and other longhaul destinations has dropped from the UK, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics.
In the last 12 months, visits by UK residents to North America and ‘other countries’ (outside of Europe), have fallen 5% and 4% respectively.
Meanwhile, visits to Europe have grown slightly by 1%.
The shift away from longhaul has been seen as further proof that rises in Air Passenger Duty are taking their toll.
Dale Keller, chief executive of BARUK, said: "The latest figures regrettably come as no surprise and are further evidence of the stifling effects of the Governments current taxation and aviation policies.
"How many jobs have to be lost in our industry before the Government finally acts upon the avalanche of expert industry research and feedback demonstrating how aviation is vital in rebuilding the UK economy."
But while fewer Brits are travelling long haul, there has been a small rise in the number of inbound visits from North America and countries outside of Europe (2% and 3% respectively).
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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