uk tourist 6 months

England Has Reopened to Travelers—Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Vaccinated travelers from the u.s. no longer need to quarantine—but there are still some rules to follow..

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The whole of Great Britain, including Port Isaac on the Cornish coast, is open for vaccinated travelers.

Photo by Ian Woolcock / Shutterstock

From August 2 some international visitors will finally be able to visit the U.K. with fewer restrictions, but it’s not as simple as flashing your passport at border control. There’s a “traffic light” system and testing requirements dependent on where you come from. Here’s what you need to know before you travel to the U.K. in 2021.

Is the U.K. open to U.S. travelers?

Yes, U.S. citizens can travel to England, Scotland, and Wales. Sixteen months after the U.K. closed its borders to the U.S., fully vaccinated American travelers will be able to enter England without having to quarantine from August 2. Both Scotland and Wales, which have land borders with England, are following suit with their entry policy for American travelers, but Northern Ireland is yet to announce whether similar allowances will be made.

Unvaccinated visitors to all four nations within the U.K. will still need to isolate for 10 days on arrival and complete three COVID tests.

Travel restrictions and requirements for entry to the U.K.

If you are . . .

Traveling to the U.K. from the U.S.

The U.K. is operating a “traffic light” system to dictate which travelers coming from which destinations are allowed to cross its borders. The USA is on the U.K.’s “ amber list, ” meaning unvaccinated travelers will need a negative PCR test before departure. You must also complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF), and book and pay for two more day-2 and day-8 tests to be taken after your arrival in the U.K. You are required to isolate for 10 days on arrival , regardless of the results of your two PCR tests. Once your self-imposed quarantine is over, you can enjoy traveling in the U.K. for up to six months visa-free.

If you’re fully vaccinated, you won’t need to isolate at all and you don’t have to take the third PCR test. You still need to complete the Passenger Locator Form and the predeparture and day-2 tests.

Traveling to the U.K. from other international destinations

If traveling from other “amber” countries, with the exception of France, vaccinated travelers need not isolate on arrival in the U.K. and should just complete the PLF, take a predeparture PCR, and book a day-2 test. Amber list destinations include Canada, Italy, and Japan.

The U.K.’s “red list” is still rather extensive, including much of South and Central America and Mexico. Anyone wishing to travel from a “ red list ” destination must book a quarantine hotel package to isolate for 10 days, take a predeparture test, complete a PLF, and take two tests during the quarantine period.

How to travel to the U.K. in 2021

Flights and airfares to the u.k..

Despite the restrictions of the past 16 months, flights have been connecting the U.K. and major cities in the U.S. throughout the pandemic with some record low fares. Sadly, with the latest announcements regarding travel restrictions between the two countries lifting, prices have shot back up to their usual costs.

Right now, direct flights from New York to London in August are $1,200, and you can expect to pay as much as $1,500 if flying from California. Book with a layover and you’ll save around a third of the cost on your ticket; book for September onwards and prices begin to drop as the U.K.’s summer holidays end.

Requirements for returning to the United States from the U.K.

All travelers returning from the U.K. must have a negative PCR test before departure or be able to show proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the past three months. The CDC recommends that travelers should also take a viral test between three and five days after their arrival from the U.K., and unvaccinated travelers should quarantine for a full seven days after travel. (Vaccinated travelers don’t have to self-isolate.)

What it’s like traveling to the U.K. right now

The U.K. is currently seeing a fourth peak in the virus, with cases sitting around 31,000 per day as of July 29. Despite the high case numbers, the death rate is far lower than previous peaks thanks to the vaccine rollout, which has seen almost 40 million people fully vaccinated since December 2020.

On July 19, the law mandating that masks be worn in indoor public spaces and on public transport was removed in England, meaning you can go mask-free wherever you want. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you must still wear a mask inside public places and on transport. “Around 70 percent of train passengers were still wearing masks despite the relaxed rules during my visit,” says AFAR deputy editor Tim Chester, who just returned from a two-week trip to England, “and pretty much everyone was masked up on the London underground.”

There are also some restrictions on the number of households allowed to meet inside in those three nations, while England has now lifted all coronavirus restrictions, allowing even nightclubs to reopen.

Needless to say, with the varying rules and regulations in place, planning a trip to the U.K. is still a little tricky. Even residents are getting confused about the restrictions, but it’s certainly not impossible and once you’ve got your head around the rules, you can relax.

You can find the current coronavirus rules for each nation at the following links:

Northern Ireland

Carreg Cennen in Wales and many other attractions are open for business.

Photo by Richard Whitcombe / Shutterstock

What can I do when I get to the U.K.?

England is fully open now, which means even nightclubs are up and running—though you need to be fully vaccinated to attend. Indoor hospitality (excluding nightclubs) and attractions have been open for some months now across the U.K., which means you can explore the big blockbusters in London such as the Tower of London and V&A Museum , as well as country houses and estates across the nation like Blenheim Palace and Wales’s most striking castle, Carreg Cennen.

One of the most exciting developments for travelers to the U.K. this year, though, is the news that tour operators and cruise lines are focusing their efforts on the British Isles. The stunning Tradewinds Voyages tall ship Golden Horizon is taking to the seas around the U.K. from August 4 , sailing along the coast of Devon, around the Scilly Isles and beyond, while Fred. Olsen has a whole host of itineraries taking in Scotland, England, and Wales.

Intrepid Travel has launched 20 new tours in the U.K. for 2021, including clifftop adventures in Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, and walking and cycling trips in the dramatic Peak District.

>> Next: Europe’s Ever-Changing Rules Dampen Summer Travel Plans

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It starts on the day that you ask for.... you can apply up to 3 months before travel, so today you can apply for a visa to start on 18 May, and it will then be valid for 6 months from 18 May.

It actually starts from the day of issue by the local UK consulate office... not the date of application.

My wife has had several UK 6 month multi entry tourist visa, all commenced on date of issue.

Agree with post 2. My family often apply for a later date of starting but it is nearly always around the day they return it!

Frustrating at times

From experience. Vfs India, will only accept applications for tourist travel that commences during the next 90 days, and the visa is then issued by UK passport & visa officials and is valid for the period from date of issue for so every long that visa is for. Tourist visa are not post dated.

The OP doesn’t say what country they are applying from, but if it’s India then you CAN get a visitor visa for the UK post-dated.

In January 2017, the UK launched a campaign to encourage Indian visitors to apply early for their visas in the quieter, off peak period, during January and February. Visa applicants can expect to get a visa decision more quickly outside of the peak period, and benefit from quieter Visa Application Centres and more available appointment slots.

In addition, applicants from India can now get their visas post dated by up to three months. Applicants simply need to provide their planned travel date, request to have the visa post dated, and the visa will start the day before the date given.

I have applied for UK visitor visa 2 weeks ago and mentioned travel date 15 August 2018. So any idea my visa validity start also same as travel date or it maybe earlier from arrival date?

You won't know (nor will we) when it begins until you receive it. Recently the average time (so I am told) for processing is 3 weeks though this time of year may take longer

Ya that I know it will take 3 weeks (15 working days) to get Visa. I just want to know the Visa start date probability.

Hi can I ask? My appointment in uk tourist visa is on Nov 14.I just wanna ask if it is ok to state in the sponsor letter of my fiance his present job including his new job offer, he will start on Nov 15,2018.he has a supporting documents for it the email confirmation of the company as proof since his contract can't be send cause its confidential. Please help I need someone to answer me. I'm just confused.. Thank you so much in advance

No one can answer your question exactly as we are not processing officers for UK Government.

However from a personal point of view whenever you submit an application the more papers to directly support your application the better in my opinion. A simple line in your sponsor's letter stating a change of job and anything to support that ,I cannot see any problems.

But that is only a personal opinion.

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UK new visa rule: You can now work in the country on tourist visa. Check what's allowed, what's not

The united kingdom will introduce changes in its visa rules on january 31, allowing tourist visa holders to work with clients and work remotely while visiting the country..

Come January 31, the United Kingdom will introduce significant changes in its visa rules that will expand business activities for individuals carrying visitor visas. The tourist visa holders would be now allowed to work with clients, and work remotely when visiting the UK.  The move is likely to boost business and tourism in the country.

As per the VisaGuide.World, “The UK’s government has published an update to its immigration rules, thus permitting more activities on Visitor Visas, while confirming that the new changes will become effective from January 31, 2024."

Check the rules here:

• Those employed by companies with both British and international branches can engage in client work abroad as long as it constitutes a small part of their overseas responsibilities, is crucial for a project or service by their UK branch, and isn't directly delivered to a UK client by the overseas employer. 
• While visitors can work from the UK , remote work should not be the primary reason for their stay. 
• Scientists, researchers, and academics are allowed to conduct research in the UK, except for academics applying for a 12-month visit visa or extending permission within the country. 
• Lawyers can engage in additional activities such as providing advice, acting as an expert witness, participating in legal proceedings, and teaching. 

“The Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor route will be merged into the Standard Visitor route, meaning that those doing paid engagements will not need a separate visa, but they still have to plan the activity within 30 days of arriving."

Last month the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt vowed that the UK government will expand the business visitor rules to permit businesspeople “to engage in a wider range of permitted activities and paid engagements, to take effect from January 2024. The government will also explore further reforms to the business visitor rules, during 2024."

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Cost of a Trip to the United Kingdom & the Cheapest Time to Visit the United Kingdom

The average price of a 7-day trip to the United Kingdom is $1,245 for a solo traveler, $1,928 for a couple, and $2,382 for a family of 4 . United Kingdom hotels range from $54 to $242 per night with an average of $94, while most vacation rentals will cost $170 to $500 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to the United Kingdom (from all airports) are between $714 and $1,222 per person for economy flights and $2,242 to $3,837 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $42 to $86 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit the United Kingdom

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to the United Kingdom and stay in a United Kingdom hotel:

• January 8th to March 25th
• April 23rd to May 20th (except the week of May 7th)
• September 24th to December 9th

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in the United Kingdom is usually early October .

Average United Kingdom Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit the United Kingdom for a week is $1,065-$2,516 ($152-$359 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $42 to $86 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $357 to $1,170 for economy

Lodging : $69 to $87 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $101 to $124 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit the United Kingdom for a week is $1,717-$4,281 ($245-$612 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $84 to $171 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $715 to $2,340 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit the United Kingdom for a week is $3,434-$8,198 ($491-$1,171 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $168 to $343 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,430 to $4,681 for economy

Lodging : $138 to $175 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $152 to $186 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to the United Kingdom

How cheap can you make a vacation to the United Kingdom? The cheapest trip to the United Kingdom is about $111 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $20 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $46.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit the United Kingdom for a week is $780-$2,190 ($111-$313 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $21 to $42 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $46 to $54 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $91 to $121 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit the United Kingdom for a week is $1,285-$3,654 ($184-$522 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $42 to $84 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit the United Kingdom for a week is $2,570-$6,943 ($367-$992 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $84 to $168 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $92 to $108 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $136 to $181 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is very possible to travel to the United Kingdom cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury United Kingdom Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in the United Kingdom.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit the United Kingdom for a week is $2,197-$10,123 ($314-$1,446 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $84 to $171 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $889 to $2,920 for first class

Lodging : $120 to $242 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $500 to $1,001 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit the United Kingdom for a week is $3,674-$14,247 ($525-$2,035 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $168 to $343 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,778 to $5,840 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit the United Kingdom for a week is $7,347-$25,500 ($1,050-$3,643 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $336 to $685 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $3,555 to $11,681 for first class

Lodging : $240 to $485 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $749 to $1,504 per night for a preferred vacation rental

United Kingdom Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in the United Kingdom is slightly lower than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in the United Kingdom due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

United Kingdom Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on United Kingdom hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in the United Kingdom.

Flight Costs to the United Kingdom

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,222 average in early to mid July to a low of $714 in early October. Median flight price is $683. These prices are based on millions of flights. For the United Kingdom our data includes thousands of originating airports, and hundreds of airlines. The area has more variance in price compared with other locations.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In the United Kingdom, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $508, so you can easily save about 71% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around the United Kingdom can easily cost $315 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $21 per person. Private tours can cost $630 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other United Kingdom Guides

Travel costs nearby.

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Travel Costs in Popular Places

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Standard visitor visa for study

The Standard visitor visa can be used for those coming to the UK for short periods of study (up to 6 months) at a Higher Education institution. 

Information about the Standard visitor visa for study purposes

On this page you can find further information about: 

• Who can come to the UK as a Visitor?
• Applying for a Standard visitor Visa
• Making an application in advance

Travelling to UCL via Ireland

Who can come to the uk as a standard visitor visa to study.

From 1 December 2020, s tudents who currently use the short-term student route will be able to enter under the Standard visitor route.

This will affect European Economic Area and Swiss nationals who enter the UK on or after 11 pm on 31 December 2020, if you are not eligible to apply under the EU settlement scheme -  Brexit - EU Settlement Scheme .

You may apply for a Standard visitor visa to study at UCL if the following circumstances apply to you:

• Your programme of study is 6 months or less in duration and you do not need a Student visa
• You are required to take resits and you need to be in the UK for 6 months or less
• You are a PhD student who needs to re-enter the UK only to attend your viva
• You are a UCL Summer School student
• You will undertake a medical elective at UCL. 

The only situation in which a student may use a Standard visitor visa to study a programme that will not be completed within their 6 month stay, (other than for an English language course) is where a student is undertaking distance learning.

If you wish to use the Standard visitor visa to undertake distance learning in the UK, you must meet all of the following criteria, you must:

• be studying for the majority of your programme outside the UK
• be on a programme that is longer than 6 months
• secure a Standard visit visa for every visit to UCL for the duration of your programme. 

Students must not intend to use the visitor visa routes to undertake frequent and successive periods of study.  

Please see UK Visas and Immigration guidance on the Standard visitor visa rules

A Standard visitor visa is generally easier to obtain than a Student visa but does have some limitations. These are as follows:

• You cannot switch into another visa category once you are in the UK. This means you must leave the UK on or before the visa expiry date.
• UK immigration rules change frequently and as such we are not able to guarantee that the current rules will be in place for the duration of your programme
• You are not allowed to work in the UK
• You are not covered under the NHS (National Health Service). This means you will need to make sure you have adequate medical insurance to cover your stay in the UK
• You cannot bring dependants with you

If you are intending on entering the UK using a Standard visitor visa to study on a programme that requires ATAS approval, you are required to provide your ATAS certificate as part of the application process.  This is because all visa types now require ATAS not just a Student visa. 

Applying for a Standard visitor visa for study purposes

Depending on your nationality you may not have to apply for this Standard visitor visa in advance of entering the UK. The UK separates countries into two categories for visitor visas: non-visa nationals and visa nationals.

If you are a visa national then you  must  apply for the Standard visitor visa before entering the UK. You can make your application from any overseas post. 

Non-visa nationals  do not need to apply for the Standard visitor visa before entering the UK. If you are a national of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA all you need to do is enter the UK using the E-gates. All other non-visa nationals will need to get their passport stamped by a border officer.

Immigration Health Surcharge

There is no IHS fee to pay when applying for a Standard visitor visa. This means you will need to pay to use non-emergency NHS services in the UK so you should obtain appropriate health care cover before your arrival.

Apply for a Standard visitor visa for short term Study

If you need a visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK.  You can access the online form at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/apply

Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a  visa application centre . You’ll have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at your appointment.

Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country. The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.

Check what  documents you’ll need to apply . 

For further information and guidance please contact the Student Immigration Advice Team by using the  contact form .

Important:  If you are a 'Visa national' planning on arriving in the UK via the Common Travel Area, you should apply for UK entry clearance as a Standard visitor  before  travelling to the Republic of Ireland.  If you are a 'non-visa national' planning on arriving in the UK via the Common Travel Area, including the Republic of Ireland, you will find that there is no immigration control at UK ports of entry.

You could therefore either apply for the UK entry clearance as a visitor in your home country before travelling to the Republic of Ireland or you will automatically have permission to be in the UK for six months when you arrive in the UK from the Common Travel Area. 

More information can be found on the  UKCISA web pages. 

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• Entering and staying in the UK
• Border control
• Immigration statistics, year ending March 2021
• Home Office

How many people come to the UK each year (including visitors)?

Updated 18 June 2021

© Crown copyright 2021

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-march-2021/how-many-people-come-to-the-uk-each-year-including-visitors

Back to ‘Immigration statistics, year ending March 2021’ content page .

This is not the latest release. View latest release .

Data relate to the year ending March 2021 and all comparisons are with the year ending March 2020, unless indicated otherwise.

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic. A range of restrictions were implemented in many parts of the world, and the first UK lockdown measures were announced on 23 March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the UK immigration system, both in terms of restricting migrant movements to and from the UK and the impact on operational capacity.

Year ending comparisons that follow will include impacts resulting from the restrictions put in place during this period of the pandemic.

This section contains data on:

• Passenger arrivals to the UK
• Grants of Entry clearance visas to individuals outside the UK
• Visitors to the UK

1. Passenger arrivals to the UK

There were an estimated 18.0 million passenger arrivals in the year ending March 2021 (including returning UK residents), an 87% (123.2 million) decrease compared with the previous year. This was due to the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional information on monthly air passenger arrivals during this period is provided in the separate Home Office report Immigration and border statistics relating to COVID-19 . These data show that there were 447,300 air passenger arrivals to the UK in April 2021. This is four times (298%) higher than the total number of air arrivals for April 2020, immediately following the start of the first UK lockdown, when there were 112,300 arrivals. However, this remains around 5% of the number of arrivals in April 2019 (9,120,400).

Figure 1: Passenger arrivals to the UK, by nationality group 1 , years ending March 2012 to March 2021

Source: Passenger arrivals (admissions) summary table – Adm_01_q

• Nationality breakdowns for 2019 onwards are not available (see ‘ Landing cards ’).

Figure 1 shows that arrivals had generally been increasing each year. However, the number of passenger arrivals over the course of the year ending March 2021, following the introduction of COVID-19 travel restrictions from March 2020, was around one eighth of the number in a normal year.

In 2018, the latest full period for which a nationality breakdown is available, there were 142.9 million passenger arrivals, of which 81.7 million (57%) were returning British citizens, 40.8 million (29%) other EEA nationals and 20.4 million (14%) from outside the EEA. Only certain nationalities (‘visa-nationals’) are required to obtain an Entry clearance visa before coming to the UK, which is why there are considerably more passenger arrivals than visas granted.

There were 668,979 visas granted in the year ending March 2021, 78% fewer than the previous year, a similar reduction to overall arrivals. Of the visas granted in this last 12 months, 38% were for study, 26% were to visit, 18% were to work, 6% were for family, and 12% for other reasons.

Figure 2: Entry clearance visas granted, years ending March 2012 to March 2021

Source: Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes – Vis_D02

Figure 2 shows that the total number of visas granted was stable between 2013 and 2016 at around 2.5 million, it then rose steadily to a peak of 3.2 million in 2019. The number then fell significantly due the COVID-19 pandemic to below 1 million in the year ending March 2021.

2. Visitors to the UK

Many nationalities, including US nationals (who accounted for over a quarter of non-EEA passenger arrivals in 2018) do not normally require a visa to visit the UK; consequently, there are considerably fewer Visitor visas granted than visitor arrivals. Nonetheless, in the year ending March 2021, there were 243,774 applications for Visitor visas, less than a tenth (9%) of the number in the previous year, a reduction largely a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the same period, there were 175,005 Visitor visas granted, 92% lower than the previous year with particular falls for Chinese (down 574,828 or 98%) and Indian (down 464,887 or 93%) nationals. Indian (32,600) and Nigerian (22,126) nationals together accounted for 31% of all Visitor visas granted.

Additional information on visitors to the UK is published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in its quarterly bulletin Overseas travel and tourism statistics .

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visa application centres were closed by 31 March 2020 and only began gradually reopening from June 2020.

In Q1 (January to March) 2021, the number of Visitor visa applications was 85% lower than the same period in 2020 and there were 90% fewer Visitor visas granted .

Figure 3: Visitor visas issued, by month, 2019, 2020 and 2021

Source: Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes: Vis_D02

Figure 3 shows that Visitor visa grants were close to zero during April and May 2020. The number of Visitor visa applications granted in each month of the year ending March 2021 was only a small fraction compared to the same month a year earlier.

3. British National Overseas (BN(O)) route

On 31 January 2021 the UK Government introduced a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status holders, providing the opportunity for them and their family members to live, work and study in the UK. The data below relates to the first quarter of 2021, January to March and is derived from management information. This data is rounded to the nearest hundred. Data for Q2 2021 will be published on 26th August 2021.

There were 34,300 applications for the BN(O) route in Q1 of 2021, with 20,600 out of country applications, and 13,700 in country applications. Of the total, 20,000 were main applicants and 14,300 were dependants.

There were 5,600 grants of out of country BN(O) visas made in Q1 of 2021, of which 3,600 were for main applicants and 2,000 were for dependants. There were 1,600 grants of in country BN(O) visas made in Q1 of 2021, of which 1,200 were main applicants and 400 were dependants.

As expected, the majority of grants (86%) were to BN(O) and/or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport holders. Dependants holding passports for countries other than HKSAR accounted for 41% of grants to dependants.

In Q1 of 2021, an estimated 5,500 BN(O) and/or HKSAR passport holders were granted “leave outside the rules” at the UK border. This figure is taken from the latest internal management information and is subject to revision.

4. About these statistics

The statistics in this section provide an indication of the number of people who enter the UK.

The data do not show whether, or when, an individual arrived in the UK, what they did on arrival to the UK or how long they stayed in the UK.

Many non-EEA nationals do not normally require a visa to visit the UK. As a result, they will be counted in the passenger arrivals data but not in the visa data. A list of designated nationalities referred to as ‘visa nationals’ who do require a visa in order to visit the UK can be found in Immigration Rules Appendix V: visitor rules .

EEA and Swiss nationals do not require a visa to visit the UK.

For several reasons, data on passenger arrivals are not directly comparable with data on Entry clearance visas granted. A summary of what each dataset counts is provided below.

4.1 Passenger arrivals

Data on passenger arrivals relate to the number of arrivals into the UK. The data include British, EEA and Swiss nationals, as well as non-EEA nationals. For non-EEA nationals who are subject to immigration controls, more detailed information is available on their nationality and purpose of their journey up until 2018.

Passenger arrivals are counted each time an individual enters the UK. Where an individual enters the UK more than once in a period, they will be counted each time they enter (but if they arrive each time on the same visa, they will be counted once in the visas data).

Visitor arrivals data included in this topic are based on landing cards completed as people cross the border. In light of the introduction of new digital systems at the border, the use of landing cards was reviewed (see Landing cards ). The review resulted in the decision to remove the need for non-EEA nationals to complete a landing card on arrival into the UK. Further data relating to visitor arrivals will not be available until an alternative method of collection is developed.

4.2 Entry clearance visas

Data on Entry clearance visas in this section refer to the number of visas granted for all reasons within the period. If an individual was granted multiple visas in a given period, this will be counted as multiple grants in the statistics. If an individual entered the UK multiple times within the period for which a visa was valid, this will be counted as one grant in the visa statistics, but multiple arrivals in the passenger arrivals data.

Year-on-year comparisons of the number of decisions can be affected by quarterly fluctuations in the data. Such fluctuations can be examined in more detail in the quarterly data that are available in the published tables.

Several known factors may have affected the number of applications and outcomes of visit-related visas over time. For example, the Home Office launched a two-year Chinese visa pilot in January 2016 for Chinese nationals. The increase in longer-term Visitor visas may affect the number of subsequent re-applications by Chinese nationals.

More information on non-visitor arrival and visa data by category is included in ʻWhy do people come to the UK? To work’ , ʻWhy do people come to the UK? To study’ and ʻWhy do people come to the UK? For family reasons’ .

In January 2021 the UK Government introduced a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status holders , providing the opportunity for them and their family members to live, work and study in the UK. This route opened on 31 January 2021 and is open to individuals who hold a BN(O) passport and are, or have recently been, resident in Hong Kong, and their dependants.

4.3 Landing cards

On 5 August 2017, the Home Office launched the ‘ Consultation on Home Office’s Immigration Statistics - arrivals data ’, on ending the requirement for non-EEA passengers to present a paper landing card on arrival into the UK from 1 October 2017. The consultation set out the statistical implications of the change and closed on 2 September 2017. The government confirmed in the Spring Statement 2019 that to coincide with the ePassport gates expansion, the government would begin to abolish landing cards for non-EEA travellers . On 20 May 2019, it removed the need for all non-EEA travellers to fill in landing cards upon arrival in the UK and expanded the use of ePassport gates to seven more countries . The government’s response to the consultation was published in May 2019. As anticipated in the original consultation, ahead of new electronic data sources being developed, the withdrawal of landing cards has resulted in a temporary loss to the passenger arrivals data broken down by nationality and reason for travel. The last set of published data on non-EEA nationals arriving in the UK (based on Landing Cards), cover the period 2004 to 2018) are available in ‘ Immigration statistics, year ending June 2019 second edition ’. Data on the total number of passenger arrivals will continue to be available as this comes from a different source.

5. Data tables

• Sponsorship summary tables
• Detailed sponsorship datasets
• Entry clearance visas summary tables
• Detailed Entry clearance visas datasets
• Admissions summary tables

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How much money do i need to travel the uk.

A trip to the United Kingdom is a rite of passage for any Aussie traveller. Between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island, the UK has plenty for you to spend your newly acquired Pounds on that’s for sure. Whether you want to have a bath in Bath or watch an Ashes game at Lords, the UK has plenty enough for the discerning Aussie traveller.

But how does one begin planning a trip to the old motherland?

If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got the method right here for you so you can spend more time planning the fun stuff than worrying about your bank balance.

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What goes into a travel budget?

The big Kahuna for any trip to the UK are the flights. We couldn’t be any further from the UK if we tried, and the result is a painstaking process of multiple flights, tallying up to at least 24 hours and close to $2000 of precious AUD. Spare a though for travellers in the 50’s when it sometimes took up to 2 weeks to reach old Blighty!

Getting around the UK can eat into the travel kitty a bit too, the London taxis don’t go easy on the hip pocket and if you’re doing any longer legs on the trains they can add up pretty quickly too. Make sure you research the places you want to go and how to get there to avoid transport bill shock when you arrive.

Accommodation

You’re going to need a place to crash, and while couch surfing is a great way to meet people and wake up on a stranger’s couch a few thousand miles from home, it’s not the most comfortable way of travelling. Whether you’re looking to cut costs by staying in backpacker hostels or you’re going to be living large in one of the many palaces, don’t forget to write it all down and plan, plan, plan.

I can already taste that Sunday roast with all the trimmings. Comfort food galore abounds in the UK and there’s no shortage of food to blow your newly acquired Pounds on, that’s for sure. We’re not here to judge, so if you plan on eating 2 pies and chips for breakfast every morning that’s your decision, we’re just here to make sure you budget for it.

You’re not flying across the world to sit in your hotel room scrolling through Instagram all day are you? How are you supposed to make everyone stuck at work jealous doing that? Think of any entrance fees to attractions, museums or parks you’re thinking of visiting and add it all up.

Other pre-departure budget expenses

You’re going on holiday, so it’s totally ok to have a splurge too. Just make sure you leave spare room in the budget for any off the cuff spending sprees or souvenir shopping for your favourite Uncle. Don’t forget your travel insurance as well, if you can’t afford insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

How much does a UK trip cost?

Don’t you wish there was a magical holiday planning fairy that would take you AUD and convert it to how much you’ll need for your UK adventure? It’s more robot than fairy, but we put a bunch of them together and created the Holiday Budget Calculator . Using a super complex algorithm combining Numbeo data and our exchange rates, we can translate your budget into any currency with the click of a button.

Strap yourself in for our super easy 5 step program to getting your budget ready!

Begin by filling out some quick details:

1. Enter in where you’re off to 2. Pick your travel style 3. Put in your length of trip 4. Choose your currency AUD/GBP

is where you let the holiday planning robots know just how many coffees you plan on having, how many warm beers you desire and how often you plan on eating out. Nobody is judging you here, this is all about putting everything down that you can think of so there’s no surprises.

is perfect if you’re planning on doing a bit of shopping with your newly acquired Pounds and I’m sure there are a few people at home expecting a souvenir. Add it all in, the magical budget planner knows how much clothes cost and there’s even a handy little spot for you to add in some emergency funds just in case.

now we know you’re probably just getting over forking out the big bucks for your flight, but the smaller transport on the ground can still add up very quickly, especially if you spend any amount of time in a London cab.

now you’ve done all the hard stuff it’s time for the calculator to do it’s thing. This is where you relax and the budget planner tool spits out the estimated cost of all the travel related items you put in. Doesn’t look right? Have another go. Keep in mind that these are the most basic expenses. Don’t forget to add in travel insurance, other daily expenses like food and drinks, sightseeing, activities and leave some extra room in the kitty for any shopping sprees and emergencies too!

UK Holiday Examples

The couples retreat

The family getaway

The solo wanderer

Travel Money Oz Infographics_10_Blog.jpg

Some final tips for the road

• Budgeting doesn’t have to be a dirty word. It might not be the most fun part of your holiday, but it is one of the most important parts.
• Research your ‘per day’ budget and include the things you really want to do. Once you know the costs, you have a goal to save for and some flexibility to work with
• Most things are cheaper to book in advance (especially if you’re going near peak times) but some things can be cheaper to purchase in the US
• Don’t forget to factor in your pre-travel costs (e.g. travel insurance, immunisations and visas).
• Budget for cheap eats some days so you can treat yourself on others.
• Don’t forget other cheeky costs like airport transfers, tours and tipping
• If in doubt, chat to a travel agent ahead of your UK or London holiday to work through your costings  

TMG_CBA_New-Banner_Travel-Money-Club_v4A.jpg

Flight costs based on search from www.flightcentre.com.au and are indicative costs only, based on prices available on 04 August 2019. ^Accommodation costs are based on an average per night price for budget, moderate or luxury hotels, as indicated in the table. ~Food based on the average cost of 1 coffee, 1 fast food meal and 1restaurant meal per person, per day.  COST COMPARISON TABLE: All costs are based on estimated approximate costs from major metropolitan cities. “From” costs indicate costs that start from the indicated price and may be higher than shown. Average prices indicate a typical estimated cost you would pay for the indicated item. Prices may vary from time to time, and in different cities and towns within the UK.

This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs.  You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.  While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate, or is appropriate for you.  We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog.

Tim Mcnamara

Tim has so far travelled to 28 countries on the quest to find the world’s best vanilla slice. Abroad you’ll find him wandering the streets at night with his camera, immersed in a good book surrounded by nature or lost amongst the history of every museum he can find. At home you’ll find him not keeping up with the Kardashians and researching The World and what makes it tick.

AUD News: Aussie Dollar slides as Trade War becomes a Currency War

Aud news: aud back on the rise after week to forget, more like this.

British tourists hit by holiday travel warning over new EU rule most are 'unaware' of

T wo thirds of Brits are unaware of EU biometric border controls that will be brought in for UK tourists from October, according to a bombshell new survey.

British citizens and those from non-EU countries will need to pass through a fingerprint checks and face scanners, under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES).

The new system will see each passenger's name and biometric data when they enter into an EU state. However, according to a poll from Co-op Insurance, 63 percent of UK adults are unaware of the new border rules, as many eye summer holidays in Europe.

According to the research, almost 25 percent of Brits say they would be "put off" travelling to the continent because of the stringent new checks.

Of that group, just under half said they didn't like the idea of their personal details being recorded and being kept on a system for up to three years.

Nearly 40 percent the possibility of "long delays at border control" would make them think twice about travelling. The changes are part of the drive to create a "digital border" between the EU/Schengen Area states and third countries, like Britain.

As well as those flying to Europe expressing concerns about the new system, there are long-standing fears that the digital border could wreak havoc at the Port of Dover.

MPs were told by Guy Opperman there would be a "six-month soft launch" that should ease the transition.

Mr Opperman told the Commons' European Scrutiny Committee: "We certainly have a six-month period where the implementation of this is effectively by way of a soft launch."

He went on: "If one got to a situation where there were a certain amount of queues or delays, then the provisions of the precautionary flexibility measures allow for much greater freedom of passage of vehicles, coaches, HGVs and cars.

"That takes care of so much of the queuing, so many of the complications."

Home Office minister Tom Pursglove told the committee the Government does not expect the EU to complete the development of an EES app before the scheme is launched.

He said: "My clear understanding is that the app will not be available at the point at which this, we anticipate, goes live in October. We would expect this to follow on accordingly.

"It is an area that we are consistently raising both at official level and ministerial level as something that we feel very strongly ought to be put in place at the first possible juncture.

"There are huge advantages around trying to be able to do as much of this processing upstream as possible." He added: "We will continue to push on this.

"My understanding is that there is a recognition on the EU side and on the individual member state side that this is something that will really help to mitigate some of these challenges. "And again, there is a determination to try and deliver that app-based solution as quickly as possible."

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UK TOURISM Statistics 2023

• / UK Tourism Statistics

Explore UK Tourism Trends & Statistics on Inbound Tourism, Spend, Employment, Popular Tourist Destinations & more!

It was predicted that by 2025 the UK tourism industry would be worth over £257 billion, however, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic had other ideas, putting worldwide travel to a stop.  In 2020 there was a decline of 73% in visitors to the UK and 78% in tourist spending.

UK tourism is not back to pre-pandemic levels just yet, however, the total contribution of travel and tourism to the UK’s GDP increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023 and it's been forecast the number of visitors to the UK will increase to 35.1 million in 2023.

Read on for more UK tourism statistics & latest industry data.

TOP TOURISM  STATISTICS UK:

In 2020 the UK received 11.1 million inbound visitors , who spent £6.2 billion , a decline of 73% in visits and 78% in spending.

This represented a loss to the UK economy of £22.2 billion.

Monthly air passenger arrivals to the UK fell by 98.3% from 6,804,900 in February 2020 to 112,300 in April 2020.

It's forecast that the number of visitors to the UK could reach  35.1 million in 2023.

The total contribution of travel and tourism to the UK’s GDP increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023. 

The average Briton took 3.6 holidays in 2022.

UK tourism is predicted to account for 8.93% in 2028 .

The country most visited by UK residents is Spain .

Tourists spent around £14.2 billion in London in 2022.

There were 15.6 million international visitors in London in 2022.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact UK tourism?

How many tourists visit the uk each year, how does tourism contribute to the uk economy, what are the most popular tourist destinations in the uk, what are the most popular tourist attractions in the uk, how many jobs does tourism create in the uk, why do tourists visit the uk, the impact of covid-19 on the uk tourism market.

In 2020 the UK received 11.1 million inbound visitors, who spent £6.2 billion , a decline of 73% in visits and 78% in spending.

Domestic and international air passenger traffic fell to less than 2% of its February 2020 levels in April 2020.

London saw the largest fall in room occupancy, with just 20% of rooms occupied in July 2020 compared with 90% in the same month in 2019.

Accommodation and travel agency businesses saw the sharpest decline in turnover during the first national lockdown, falling to 9.3% of their February levels in May 2020.

Employment in accommodation fell by 21.5% compared with the same three months of 2019.

Domestic tourist spending dropped to £34 billion in 2020 from £92 billion in 2019.

Visit Britain is forecasting 35.1 million visits in 2023  and £29.5 billion spent (104% of the 2019 level and 14% higher than in 2022).

While international tourist visits haven’t bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, Visit Britain estimates they could come to 86% of the pre-pandemic level in 2023. 

In 2022, there were about 30 million international visits to the UK.

In 2022, UK tourism’s GDP contribution was £214 billion.

Tourism’s GDP contribution should grow by 3% annually between 2022 and 2032.

UK tourists spent around £45 billion abroad in the first three quarters of 2022.

COVID-19 impacted the UK tourism market when travel came to a halt around the world. Monthly air passenger arrivals to the UK fell by 98.3% and ultimately the losses represented a loss to the UK economy of £22.2 billion.

Inbound international tourism to the UK was the first industry to be affected by Covid-19 and will be the last to recover, although the UK isn't at pre-pandemic levels just yet, travel & tourism to the UK's GDP increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023 and the number of inbound visitors to the UK could reach 35.1 million in 2023. 

Where people have missed out on travel due to lockdowns, other factors are impacting whether people can afford travel. I ncreasing costs of overseas tourism stop 19% of Britons from enjoying a trip abroad, and personal finances and around  36% of consumers say they won’t be taking a holiday this summer – 14% say due to the level of their essential costs.

Sources: Money Transfers , KPMG , Parliament , ONS , Statista  

UK INBOUND TOURISM STATISTICS

The United Kingdom  ranked seventh in the UNWTO international arrivals league and accounted for 2.8% of global arrivals in 2017.

2017 had the highest number of visitors in one year (39.2 million) . This is almost two-thirds of the population of the UK.

The United Kingdom  ranked fifth place in the UNWTO international tourism earnings league in 2017.

There were 37.9 million visits to the UK in 2018.

Travellers from the US contribute most to the travel industry in the United Kingdom. 3.9 million American tourists visited  in  2018 and spent a collective £3.4 billion.

The USA, France, and Germany were the top markets in terms of the number of visits to the UK, accounting for 29% of visits in 2018.  These markets also accounted for 27% of all overseas visitor spend.

Visits to the UK for holidays reached a new record in June 2019 with 1.6 million inbound holiday visits (up 18%).

4 million people visited the UK in July 2019.

54% of all inbound visitor spend is accounted for by London . The rest of England accounts for 33%, Scotland 10% and Wales 2%.

Repeat holidaymakers  stay longer on their visits than first-time visitors. They also spend more on average per night.

Inbound tourism statistics show 2017 was a record-breaking year, there was a 9% increase in spend and a 4% increase in visits from the previous year. A whopping 39.2 million people visited the UK in 2017, this is almost 66% of the UK population. The increase in tourism in 2017 drove sales for luxury British brands, boosting Bond Street into the top three of the world’s most expensive store locations.

Tourism statistics prove that this industry is one of the UK’s most valuable sectors with 37.9 million people visiting in 2018. Over half of the visitor spend is spent within London which is not surprising as London is the third most visited city in the world after Bangkok and Paris. London will always be one of the most popular cities in the world because it has something for everyone when they go on holiday , whether it is the vibrant culture, the west end theatre or classic British food.

Sources : TheGuardian , UKInbound, VisitBritain , VisitBritain, Finder , ONS , Forbes

LONDON TOURISM STATISTICS

How many tourists visit london each year.

London attracts around 30 million visitors from around the world every year. The number of tourists visiting London has increased from 11 million in 2002 to more than 19 million in 2016.

According to the National Office for Statistics tourists spent more than 111 million nights and close to £11.9 billion . See the chart below to see who’s visiting London (Source: Statista ).

UK TRAVEL STATISTICS: SPENDING

£2.9 billion was spent on visits by overseas residents in July 2019.

In 2018, £7.3 billion was spent by overseas residents. This has decreased by 3% from the previous year.

For every £1000 generated by direct tourism, a further £1800 is supported elsewhere in the economy.

Inbound visitors will continue to be the fastest-growing tourism sector with spend by international travellers forecast to grow by over 6% a year in comparison with domestic spending at just over 3%.

37.9 million people visited from overseas in 2018 and spent £22.9 billion.

The UK accounted for 3.7% of international tourism receipts in 2017.

£604 is the average spend per visit in 2018.

There was a growth in spending across Wales (2%), North East (5%) , Yorkshire (2%) and East Midlands (22%).

$31.93 billion was spent by tourists in 2017.

Domestic tourism in the UK  remains the biggest component of tourist spending, with 2008 expenditures totaling £21.9 billion, according to VisitBritain.

3.8% of global tourism receipts are accounted for by the UK.

Tourism in the UK contributes immensely to the economy, there was a total expenditure of £22.9 billion in 2018 and had 37.9 million tourists. The average spend per visit is £604 with an average length stay of 7 nights. Although the UK is a small country, it still accounts for 3.8% of global tourism receipts and is the fifth top tourism earner in 2018. 

How much does tourism contribute to the UK GDP? Tourism contributes £145.9bn (7.2%) of the GDP, England’s tourism sector is vibrant and vital.

Students also help contribute large amounts to the economy, 500,000 students visit to learn English each year. These English foreign language students also spend £2399 per visit, this is four times more than the average spend. 88% of these students intend to come back to the UK for another holiday. Students generate £1.2 billion in export earnings for the United Kingdom every year.

Sources : ONS , VisitBritain , VisitBritain, Wikipedia, UKinbound , 

UK TOURIST ARRIVALS STATISTICS

6.9 million European residents visited in 2018, this has decreased by 3% from the previous year.

Between April and June 2019 there was an 18% (1.6 million visits) increase from the previous year in visits from North American residents.

Visits by European residents decreased by 5% (6.8 million visits) and visits from other countries decreased by 5%.

Certain markets are more likely to make repeat visits to the UK: 92% of holiday visits from the Irish Republic, 92% from Norway, 83% from Iceland and 80% from Belgium were repeat visits in 2015. Repeat visits are most likely taken by those who have been on holiday here before, as 50% of repeat visits are for holidays. This is followed by 21% who are visiting friends and relatives, 20% business trips, 8% study and 1% other.

Out of the top 10 visiting countries whose residents visited the most frequently in 2018, eight of these countries were EU countries (France, Germany, Irish Republic, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Italy and Belgium). The only other non-EU countries in the top ten were Australia and the USA. This list has remained almost the same over recent years.

Sources : ONS , VisitBritain

TOURISM STATISTICS UK: BEHAVIOUR AND REASONING

In 2018 tourists visited the UK for the following reasons:

37.9 million tourists visited the UK in 2018.

15.1 million of those visited for a holiday.

11.8 million or 31.4% visited the UK to see friends or relatives.

8.4 million visited for business trips.

2.6 million trips were for other reasons.

During April-June 2019, 4.3 million visited for a holiday,

2.1 million for business and 2.8 million came to visit family and friends. This is just under 10% of UK GDP.

77% of inbound visits were repeat visits.

92% of business visits were repeat visits in 2015, 85% was to visit family and friends and 63% were holiday visits.

Those visiting for holidays reached a new record in June 2019 with 1.6 million inbound holiday visits (up 18%).

Business visits increased to 24% in June 2019 (800,000).

Why do people visit the UK? Business visits accounted for 22% of all visits in 2018 and contributed to a spend of around £4.5 billion. According to Visit Britain, 3.3 million business visits were made to attend small/ medium-sized meetings whist 1.5 million visits were made to attend larger meetings such as conferences, conventions and trade shows. 

Visits by overseas residents decreased in 2018 in comparison to 2017. However, holidays are still the most common reason why people visit the UK. There were 15.1 billion holidays to the United Kingdom in 2018 accounting for 40% of the total. The USA is the top visiting country followed by France, Germany, the Irish Republic and Spain. 

Sources : ONS, VisitBritain, UKInbound

UK TRAVEL INDUSTRY STATISTICS: POPULAR DESTINATIONS

Top Towns and Cities

London Edinburgh Manchester Birmingham Glasgow Liverpool Bristol Cambridge Oxford Brighton

Visits (000s)

19,090 2,363 1,408 1,100 837 803 598 547 526 459

The most popular tourist destination in the UK is unsurprisingly London as it is the capital. The capital attracts 8 times more travelers than the second most visited city in the UK. People love visiting this city because it is full of culture. The best museums and galleries in the world are located there, most of which are free. It also provides many options to see the most beautiful panoramic views such as the London Eye and a variety of rooftop bars.

Edinburgh is the second most visited city, known for its low crime rate and rich heritage it is understandable that Edinburgh is so popular. In England, Manchester is the second top city after London. Manchester has amazing cuisine; an assortment of museums and incredible nightlife and its number of overseas tourists is rising by 10% a year.

Sources: VisitBritain, Finder , UKinbound

UK TRAVEL FACTS & STATISTICS: TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

The top three activities in which international tourists participated in during their visit included dining in restaurants, shopping and going to the pub.

10% of all visits  included a visit to the beach. This rises to 33% for those visiting Wales.

Walking in the countryside was the most popular outdoor leisure pursuit. This was particularly high in the South West and Scotland (41%).

9% of visits  include a trip to the theatre , this rises to 15% in London.

Sightseeing is the most common activity, with 16% of those only in the UK for a day doing some form of sightseeing.

International travellers described a possible trip to the UK as education over anything else.

The Tate Modern is the most popular attraction in the capital, with 5.9 million visitors in 2018. This is followed by the British Museum (5.8 million) and the National Gallery (5.7 million).

47% of people stated that they associate the United Kingdom with Museums, it is also the most popular attraction in London.

Wildlife attractions had a 4% participation rate, increasing to 6% amongst those visiting the South West, London and Scotland.

The South West literary offer was the second highest after London, with 6% including a literary/music/TV or film location visit during their stay.

The most popular tourist activity and attraction is sightseeing. Even if tourists are only visiting for one day, 16% of people manage to do some form of sightseeing. Walking is also another extremely popular tourist activity. London tourism statistics show The Tate Modern is the number one tourist attraction in the city, with 5.9 million visitors in 2018.

Activities specifically focused around ‘city life’ such as dining, socializing and shopping are the most popular things to do for overseas visitors. History and heritage also draw in a lot of tourists, alongside ‘Britain only’ activities such as iconic landmarks and famous attractions. Whereas, in the more rural parts of the UK, visiting the countryside, beaches, as well as national parks, are very popular amongst tourists. Tourists over the age of 65 are more likely to do unusual activities such as playing golf or researching ancestry.

Sources : VisitBritain , Finder

TOURISM EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS UK

Since 2010, tourism has been the fastest-growing sector for UK employment. By 2025, the tourism industry UK is set to be worth over £257 billion.

The tourism sector is set to grow at an annual rate of 3.8% through to 2025. This is significantly faster than the overall economy. It is also supporting 3.8 million jobs.

English foreign language students generate £1.2 billion in export earnings each year. This creates 20,000 jobs.

3.3 million people work in tourism-related businesses, 1.5 million are employed as a redirected result of expenditure.

There are 241,000 businesses in the UK travel industry.

The United Kingdom is the world’s 7th most popular tourist destination, therefore it is not surprising that this sector creates a lot of job opportunities. These UK tourism employment statistics demonstrate the importance of tourism for employment. Since 2010, tourism has been the fastest-growing sector for UK employment, accounting for 11.9% of all jobs and it is thought that by 2025, the industry is set to be worth over £257 billion. Travel and tourism overtook financial services (8.9%) and banking (3.4%) as the fastest growing sector in the UK.

Sources : VisitBritain, Finder , WTTC

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Rail strikes restart as Aslef train drivers embark on new action

Union to roll out 24-hour strikes across England’s train operators for three days this week and six-day overtime ban from Monday

Rail passengers face a week of disruption as train drivers embark on another round of industrial action on Monday, despite tentative attempts by the industry to restart talks.

Drivers in the Aslef union will strike for 24 hours at each of England’s national train operators over the course of three days from Tuesday until Thursday, while an overtime ban will apply nationwide from Monday until Saturday.

Most operators will not run any trains on their strike days, affecting some cross-border services to Wales and Scotland. The overtime ban will also reduce schedules and severely disrupt some operators who depend on voluntary shifts to run their services.

On Tuesday 7 May, the first wave will affect commuter routes into London, with drivers striking at c2c, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

It will be followed on Wednesday by a 24-hour strike at Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains; and at LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express on Thursday.

The union said it would continue to strike for an improved pay offer, with some of its members now going five years without a pay rise and the last talks breaking down a year ago.

A hint of movement came when the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators, emailed Aslef late last week to suggest discussions about a framework for formal talks, which the union said it welcomed.

An RDG spokesperson said it had “written to the Aslef leadership to try and find areas of common ground that will allow us to move to formal negotiations”.

The Aslef general secretary, Mick Whelan, told members he would “explore this avenue in an effort to resolve this dispute”.

The drivers’ union rejected a two-year deal in early 2023 worth 4% annually, but with changes to working conditions attached. In percentage terms, the rise was less than that offered to other parts of the industry.

Speaking before this next set of rolling strikes, Whelan said: “We don’t want to be doing this. Nobody wants to be losing money, but unless we do this, nobody is going to come to the table and talk to us. So we’re left in a position whereby the only way that we can articulate our voice is to take action.”

Aslef members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue industrial action.

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Whelan added: “I’m out there talking to my people most nights of the week in branch rooms and elsewhere, and they want to keep going. They want a resolution. And after 22 months, why would you stop? We have to believe there will be an endgame; we have to believe there will be a resolution to this.

“After half a decade without a pay rise, should we stop and go another half a decade without?”

The government has argued that the offer would take the average pay of a train driver to £65,000, but it also demanded “modernisation” and workplace changes as part of the settlement.

Whelan said: “There was no workplace reform. Nobody could explain to me how cutting people’s sick pay makes a railway run quicker, or more resilient, or improves performance. It was a land grab for Ts & Cs [terms and conditions].

“We’ve done 17 pay deals in the last 12 months across the rest of the rail industry,” including in Scotland and Wales, the Elizabeth line, and for freight and open access rail operators . “None of them required any of these changes – this has got nothing to do with running a railway.”

An RDG spokesperson said the strikes would “inflict further damage on an industry that is receiving up to an additional £54m a week in taxpayer cash following the Covid downturn”.

They warned there would be reduced services from Monday, with the overtime ban’s impact varying across the country, and advised passengers to check before travel.

The wave of action is the fourth week of rolling strikes staged by Aslef since December, after it altered its tactics in a dispute that has lasted almost two years.

• Rail strikes
• Rail industry
• Rail transport
• Industrial action
• Trade unions

More on this story

Aslef drivers to hold more train strikes in early May

Only 40 LNER intercity rail services to run on Saturday as train drivers strike

Aslef’s final strike day disrupts rail services in south and east England

Aslef says more train strikes likely as drivers’ pay row continues

Rail passengers face rolling strikes but London Underground action called off

Train drivers at Northern and LNER to strike in March, Aslef union announces

Weekend rail strikes: travel disrupted across Great Britain

Train drivers will keep striking to ‘raise profile’ of pay dispute, says Aslef boss

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Money latest: Forecasts for interest rate cut have changed - as hopes for 3% next year dashed

Analysts are divided between June, August, September or even later for a first interest rate cut from 5.25%. Read their thoughts and all the rest of today's consumer and personal finance below - and listen to the latest Ian King Business Podcast as you scroll.

Tuesday 7 May 2024 19:35, UK

• Interest Rates
• 'We should charge more': Chef justifies £320 menu as he teams up with Uber Eats for 'cheap' delivery
• Average house price will be £61,500 higher by 2028
• Bank launches £175 switching offer
• Train strikes begin - everything you need to know

Essential reads

• When will interest rates be cut?
• What is the Bank of England, why isn't it called the Bank of UK, and how much is in its vaults?
• Money Problem: We discovered £600 management fee after buying flat - what can we do?
• 10 biggest mistakes people make in job interviews
• Listen to Ian King Business Podcast above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts

Average UK house prices have risen only slightly in the past month, according to data from Halifax. 

The average house price rose by 0.1% in April month-on-month, after a fall of 0.9% in March. 

Halifax said typical house prices in early 2024 have "largely plateaued", with the housing market "finding its feet in an era of higher interest rates". 

It added it expected property prices to "rise modestly" over the course of 2024.

Read more here ...

A British driverless car company has raised more than a billion dollars from three major tech companies to commercialise its products. 

Start-up Wayve has secured funds from SoftBank, Nvidia and Microsoft to help develop its artificial intelligence software which can make any vehicle hands-free. 

This is the biggest venture investment so far in a European AI start-up, and could see the London-based company valued at several billion dollars.

The technology teaches autonomous vehicles how to drive using videos and data from real life, and could mean cars are more responsive to incidents such as someone running into the road or another vehicle swerving.

Waitrose workers have claimed the supermarket lowered redundancy payouts for warehouse staff already at risk of losing their jobs. 

Under the proposal, those made redundant will only be paid one week's salary per year of service, on top of statutory payouts received from the government. 

John Lewis said earlier this year it was planning to halve redundancy payouts.

But workers are claiming a review into the planned closure of an Enfield warehouse had begun before the changes were made to redundancy packages. 

The government is planning to overhaul its Personal Independence Payment (PIP) scheme - and one proposal is to require claimants to provide a "proof of diagnosis" letter from a healthcare professional. 

Another measure includes scrapping the current eligibility criteria and replacing it with one based on what condition or disability someone has. 

People can claim PIP payments if they have a disability or medical condition that affects their ability to carry out daily tasks.

The standard rate is £72.65 a week, while the enhanced one is £108.55, and people can also get extra payments of £28.70 or £75.75 if they struggle with mobility.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is now proposing a claimant's eligibility would be based on their clinical diagnosis by a healthcare professional, rather than on an assessment. 

Charities and campaigners have warned this could risk some medical conditions no longer being eligible for PIP if they're not deemed long-term or severe enough. 

Here's everything you need to know about PIP and potential changes...

Basically, the Bank of England is the UK's central bank.

It is different from a bank you would come across along the high street and does not hold accounts or make loans to the public.

The Bank issues bank notes that you spend and it also sets the official interest rates of the UK (otherwise known as the Bank/base rate), which directly influences savings and mortgages. 

It earned the nickname "the old lady of Threadneedle Street" back in the 1700s after a cartoon depicted then-prime minister William Pitt trying to "woo" the Bank - depicted as an old lady - for her gold reserves.

When did the Bank become independent? 

The Bank was founded in 1694 and was owned by various shareholders until it was nationalised in 1946.

It remains owned by the UK government today - but its decision-making was made independent by then-chancellor Gordon Brown in 1997 to increase confidence in the UK economy and stop politicians from influencing monetary policy for political or electoral reasons. 

What is the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee and who sits on it?

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decides the Bank rate.

This generally happens every six weeks, so eight times a year, and the next meeting is on Thursday - hence which we've made it this week's Basically .

The committee is made up of nine independent members who all have expertise in economics and monetary policy.

There are also external members that ensure the MPC benefits from thinking and expertise from outside of the Bank of England.

A representative from HM Treasury also sits with the MPC at its meetings. The Treasury member makes sure the MPC is briefed on government policies, but they are not allowed to vote.

Does the Bank have any other responsibilities?

• The Bank produces £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes;
• It guards the value of money by keeping prices stable;
• It keeps the financial system stable by maintaining a close watch on any risks and taking action;
• The Bank also regulates and supervises all the major banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and investment firms.

Why is it called the Bank of England when it covers the whole UK?

Quite simply, it has never changed its name since it was founded. 

It was created in 1694 after a Scotsman named William Paterson realised the nation's finances had no real system of money or credit. 

Under his direction, a successful scheme was launched in which £1.2m was loaned to the government from funds raised by subscribers who were then incorporated into the governor and company of the Bank of England. 

The money was used to support the English government in its war against France. 

It wasn't until the 19th century that the Bank took on the role of central bank. 

What is in the Bank of England's vaults? 

About 400,000 bars of gold. 

These are worth more than £200bn, making the Bank of England the second-largest keeper of gold in the world - behind the New York Federal Reserve. 

The gold is kept in nine carefully guarded underground vaults. 

Each bar costs hundreds of thousands of pounds, although the value can go up and down. 

The Bank of England's customers - who include the UK government, banks and other governments around the world - can trade their gold bars with other customers. 

When a customer trades gold it doesn't usually move - instead the name of the owner will change on the Bank's system. 

Not many people are allowed to visit the vaults, but the King and the late Queen Elizabeth II have seen them. 

Has anyone ever stolen any gold from the Bank?

The Bank says no gold has been stolen from its vaults, but there was a lucky escape in 1836 after a sewer worker doing repair work accidentally discovered an old drain that ran directly below the gold vault. 

He sent anonymous letters to the directors of the Bank, saying he had access to their gold and offering to meet them in the vault at an hour of their choosing.

When the directors gathered one night in the vault, a noise was heard from beneath the floor and the man popped up through some of the floorboards. 

A stocktake was taken afterwards, and it became clear he had not taken any gold. 

The Bank then decided to reward the sewer worker for his honesty by giving him £800 - the equivalent of about £76,000 today. 

Read other entries in our Basically... series:

The Bank of England will announce its latest base rate decision on Thursday lunchtime - but no one is expecting a cut from the current 5.25%.

It's widely thought rates have reached their peak - they've been at their highest level for 16 years since August.

But market forecasts for a June cut seem to have waned, with August or September now being priced in more heavily.

A feeling that inflation may not reach, or at least stay at, the 2% target through this year (and we've seen how inflation can prove stickier than expected with recent US figures) has led swap rates, which dictate how much it costs lenders to lend, to rise.

Thursday's decision

During March's meeting of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, only one of the nine members voted for a cut.

Steve Matthews, investment director at Canada Life Asset Management, doesn't see any movement from the majority eight this time - suggesting a cut isn't imminent.

"Looking ahead to Thursday... we expect an 8-1 vote in favour of no cut, with Swati Dhingra being the lone outlier. 

"While there's optimism within the Monetary Policy Committee that inflation will close in on the all-important 2% as the fuel effect falls out, the Bank of England will be deeply aware of the second-round inflation effect. 

"Rather than patting itself on the back when the 2% figure is hit, it will require clear evidence that inflation is under control rather than simply hitting a target."

High inflation is the reason rates have been elevated - squeezing people's finances and encouraging them to save tends to bring prices down.

Inflation is expected to have dropped significantly in April due to the fall in the energy price cap, and we'll get an announcement on this next Wednesday - but analysts fear it could rise again later this year.

Canada Life is of the view that this means we'll have to wait until August for a base rate cut.

Others think it could be later.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said "hopes are creeping back in about a summer interest rate cut, although September is still very much a possibility".

Some are more optimistic

Weaker employment figures in April add to the case for lower interest rates – more people looking for jobs means employers aren't under as much pressure to raise wages, which can be inflationary.

Another factor which means the BoE could drop rates before the US is that the UK has entered recession, so the committee may want to ease restrictions on the economy.

Andrew Goodwin, chief UK economist for Oxford Economics, said data on services inflation and private sector regular pay mean there is no hope for a May cut. As to whether it will even come in June or August, it's a "close call". 

However, the chair of HSBC has predicted the Bank will move in June.

Speaking at HSBC's annual general meeting today, Mark Tucker said he expected the European Central Bank and Bank of England to cut rates next month, both lowering by 150 basis points (to 3.75%) by the end of 2025.

The respect Capital Economics thinks 4% is more likely - while markets are leaning towards 4.5% come the end of next year.

Previous forecasts suggested rates could fall as low as 3% next year.

What has the Bank said?

Governor Andrew Bailey has repeatedly indicated that nothing is imminent.

"Inflation has continued to fall as expected. Cost pressures have eased, and the restrictive stance of monetary policy is working to bring inflation down. But we need to be sure that inflation will return all the way to our 2% target sustainably," he said in March. 

Spending on online subscriptions has jumped annually, boosted by series such as Baby Reindeer and Ripley.

While retail and fast-food spending contracted or remained the same over the past year, new data from Barclays noted a 10.6% increase in spending on digital content and subscriptions.

Two Netflix mini-series, Baby Reindeer and Ripley, helped drive the increase, according to Barclays. 

Continued concern about the cost of living, notably housing costs, meant spending in restaurants was down by 13% in April compared with the same period last year. 

Roughly half of the country said they were concerned about how much they spend on food and drink, according to Barclays.

Nearly 73% of people said they were actively looking for ways to reduce the cost of their weekly shop, while six in 10 shoppers said they had noticed supermarket products running out of stock. 

Despite this, 71% of people surveyed said they felt confident in their ability to manage their household finances. 

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire, business reporter

The record profits in the wake of the Ukraine invasion are clearly behind oil and gas giant BP with the news that profits nearly halved in the first three months of 2024. 

Due to oil refinery outages and lower gas prices, the London Stock Exchange listed company reported profit down 45% to $2.72bn (£2.17bn), compared with $4.96bn (£3.95bn) last year - an even worse performance than City of London analysts had been expecting. 

The good news for shareholders is continued dividends and a maintained share buyback programme - that is likely the reason the share price has fallen only 0.14% this morning.

Overall the most valuable companies of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 index were up 1.08%.

A barrel of Brent crude - the benchmark for oil prices - was $83.54, below recent highs.

On the currencies front £1 buys $1.254 and €1.16.

The bank switching market is back after a hiatus over the last couple of weeks - with First Direct relaunching its £175 incentive on current accounts.

There are no similar deals on the market, though last week Virgin Money launched a switch offer promising 10% interest on current account balances up to £1,000 for a year.

To qualify for the First Direct incentive you must:

• Go through the full Current Account Switch Service (Cass) process
• Transfer a £1,000 balance into the account
• Switch at least two regular payments
• Use their debit card at least five times within 30 days of the account opening

Chris Pitt, chief executive of First Direct, said the £175 offer "will only be around for a limited time only".

It's worth considering, especially if you're about to apply for a mortgage or credit, that opening a new bank account can temporarily impact your credit score.

Which banks gain most from switching?

According to figures from the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), Nationwide had a net gain of 163,363 account switchers between October and December last year.

Barclays and Lloyds Bank saw more modest net gains of 12,823 and 5,800 respectively, while the rest of the UK's big banks reported net losses.

NatWest and Halifax fared worst, losing over 40,000 more switchers each than they gained.

None of these banks currently have switch incentives.

A new forecast suggests the average UK house price will be £61,500 higher in 2028.

Savills estate agent says the average value will increase by 21.6% from £285,000 in 2023 to £346,500 by 2028.

It says an improved medium-term economic outlook is behind the rise from its previous 17.9% forecast.

This year, Savills expects house prices to grow by 2.5% - rather than a 3% drop it predicted in early November.

The market remains sensitive to short-term fluctuations, it said, due to uncertainty over the timing of an interest rate cut and political uncertainty ahead of a general election.

Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills, said: "The outlook for 2024 has improved since our last (November 2023) forecasts as mortgage costs have nudged down slightly and are much less volatile.

"The outlook for economic growth has also slightly improved, pointing to relatively modest house price growth this year, with greater potential over the following few years."

He cautioned that wider global uncertainties have seen swap rates, which lenders use to price mortgages, rise.

He added: "Consequently, we are unlikely to see a further meaningful fall in mortgage rates this year, with the potential for short-term fluctuations in the cost of debt and house prices."

Savills used Oxford Economics and Nationwide Building Society data for its research. Its calculations were based on the second hand property market, so new build property values could perform differently.

Savills' predictions for regional house price growth over the five years to 2028:

• North West, 28.8%
• Yorkshire and the Humber, 28.2%
• Wales, 26.4%
• Scotland, 25.8%
• North East, 25.2%
• West Midlands, 23.4%
• East Midlands, 22.8%
• South West, 18.7%
• South East, 18.2%
• East of England, 18.1%
• London, 14.2%

For two days this week, Londoners will be able to try one of the world's best (and most expensive) tasting menus for a fraction of the price.

Ikoyi, which currently ranks 35 in the World's Best Restaurants , has teamed up with Uber Eats to offer a scaled back version of its £320 dinner.

Executive chef Jeremy Chan says the five-course delivery is probably the most "technical and refined" takeaway in the city, though some of the original dishes have been tweaked so they travel better.

To compensate for this, and for the trouble of having to fill up your own water after each sip, your bill will come in at a less eyewatering £60 per person.

But if you're thinking this venture is a concession to those who baulk at the price of Chan's two-Michelin starred menu (which comes in at almost £100 more than those at similarly lauded Core by Clare Smyth and The Ledbury)… it's not.

"I don't think people pay enough money for food, I think we charge too little, [but] we want to always be accessible to as many people as possible, we're always trying our best to do that," Chan tells the Money blog, before offering a detailed response to a (perhaps) hypothetical customer who wonders why a plate of fish is so expensive.

"You're paying the fishermen, you're paying for the person that's transporting it. You're paying for the logistics company, dry cleaning for the towels used to dry the fish, the paper towels that are being used to clean the guts of the fish, then waste disposal."

The fish then goes through a five-day aging process.

"We have three dry-ageing chambers that are used to store exceptional produce from very, very small producers and just the running costs of those alone [are very high]."

He goes on: "So, that single piece of fish has gone through many, many steps to go from fishermen to me, and you haven't even thought about the years of research and relationship building with the supplier. You can't just call a wholesaler and say, give me the turbot that Ikoyi is using."

All of which doesn't cover Chan's own work with the ingredients.

"I'm the one who peels the quail eggs. It's not just boiled, peeled and put on a plate... the owner of the restaurant is standing there for four hours perfectly peeling these quail eggs.

"Think about the time - that's the biggest cost in a restaurant that people don't think about, one's life, it's my life."

It's perhaps no surprise, in light of all the above, that Chan sees his collaboration with Uber Eats as a one-off.

On the menu is:

• Mutton merguez sausage with a green goddess slaw
• Fried chicken with smoked scotch bonnet and raspberry
• Jollof rice and crab custard
• Suya tamari pork with mustard greens and kumquat
• Flower sugar cake with batak berry and Garigette strawberry

It's the second Michelin tie up for Uber Eats after its £200 two-person tasting menu offering from Ynyshir in Wales, which was named best UK restaurant in 2022 and 2023.

The food will be delivered by a regular rider/driver, so Chan and his team have had to put thought into the ingredients.

"Everything on the menu has been designed to retain heat.

"For instance, the Merguez is made with a beautiful aged mutton shoulder, which has such deep, intense flavour. I don't have to worry too much about the cooking temperature because it's so fatty.

"We're going to make a little note [for the customer] that says 'quickly flash in the pan to bring it back to life, and it will still taste great'.

"A radicchio is obviously hearty, so it's not going to break down.

"All the dishes, if people eat them cold, they are still going to be tasting nice and they're also structurally sound so they don't require assembly - we're making something that can just be eaten straight away out of the box."

The Ikoyi tasting menu is available in central London to Uber One customers on Friday and for everyone on Saturday, between 5-10pm.

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A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa allowing its holder to circulate in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Schengen visas (type C) can only be applied for through our external service provider TLScontact.

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Federal Reserve keeps interest rates at current levels as inflation holds its grip

The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged at between 5.25% and 5.5% — the highest level in more than a decade — as annual inflation rates continued to stall.

In its statement announcing the hold, the central bank said that in recent months, there had been "a lack of further progress" toward its 2% percent inflation goal.

"Economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace," it said. "Job gains have remained strong, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation has eased over the past year but remains elevated."

Last month, the consumer price index came in at 3.5% on an annual basis, driven by rising housing costs and insurance rates, especially auto insurance.

"We're just a mile a way from the finish line," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's, referring to the economy reaching 2% inflation. "We're very close, but still not there. I do think that inflation will continue to moderate."

The Fed has sought to slow inflation by keeping interest rates elevated. By making it more expensive for businesses and consumers to borrow money, including through credit cards, the Fed hopes to reduce demand for goods and services, thereby reducing price growth.

So far, the results of doing this have been mixed. After a period of rapid interest rate hikes, the pace of inflation fell from more than 9% in the summer of 2022 to its current levels of between 3% and 4%.

But the decline has since stalled.

There are complex reasons for the lack of progress and many elements may actually be out of the Federal Reserve's control. Home and auto insurance companies continue to pass on higher costs to consumers . Meanwhile, even as many consumers struggle, post-pandemic wealth gains have left others — especially older consumers — with plenty of money to spend, despite higher prices.

Whatever the case, the wait for slower inflation has left the average consumer in an increasingly dour mood. On Tuesday, the Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index came in at its lowest level since July 2022. Consumers expressed more concern about the current labor market situation, future business conditions, job availability and income, the group said.

Still, most analysts say the odds of a recession are remote. In the most recent GDP report, spending on services, which includes everything from restaurants to airfare to professional services, came in at 4% year-on-year, the fastest rate since 2021.

“Don’t underestimate this economy,” economists with Wells Fargo said in a report following the release.

Consumers thus appear to be sensing that the most crucial part of the economy — the jobs market — is slowing, even while prices remain elevated.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged this complex economic environment in remarks in early March.

"The outlook is still quite uncertain," Powell said. The central bank must balance its campaign against elevated inflation with ensuring the economy does not slip into a recession.

Economists like Zandi aren't expecting the Fed to raise interest rates, either.

Instead, the Fed will likely continue to keep rates elevated — perhaps even until after the November general election so that it does not appear to favor one candidate or another.

"[Powell's] message is clear: We can’t cut rates and we’re not there yet," Zandi said. "We've still got a ways to go."

Rob Wile is a breaking business news reporter for NBC News Digital.

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Visa Exemption and Bilateral Agreement

(Last updated: October 24, 2023)

Who Can Enter Thailand Without a Visa

The Thai Visa Exemption Scheme allows tourists from 64 countries to enter Thailand without applying for a visa. Travelers can visit Thailand for up to 30 days if they are entering Thailand through an international airport or land border checkpoint from a neighboring country.

Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme and Bilateral Agreement

Provisions of the tourist visa exemption scheme and bilateral agreement, effective December 31, 2016, allowing passport holders from 64 countries to enter Thailand under this rule, provided they meet the following criteria:

• Be from an approved country.
• Be visiting Thailand strictly for tourism.
• Hold a genuine passport with a valid expiry of over 6 months.
• Can provide a valid address in Thailand on entry that can be verified. This address can be a hotel or an apartment.
• Must have a confirmed return ticket exiting Thailand within 30 days. Open tickets do not qualify. Traveling overland by train, bus, etc to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia (including en route to Singapore), Myanmar, etc is not accepted as proof of exiting Thailand.**
• Provide proof of funds of at least 10,000 THB for single travelers, or 20,000 THB per family during your stay in Thailand.

** You may be asked to show your flight ticket on entering Thailand. If you do not possess a flight ticket to show that you will exit Thailand within 30 days of entry, you will most likely be refused entry.

If entering Thailand by land or sea, eligible travelers holding normal passports will be granted visa-free travel to Thailand twice per calendar year. There is no limitation when entering by air.

For Malaysians entering by land border, there is no limitation in issuing the 30-day tourist visa exemption stamp.

Travelers from Korea, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and Chile will receive permission to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days under Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme. This applies to both airport and land border entries.

Top Services provided by Siam Legal International, Thailand’s largest legal service network.

• Thailand Elite Visa
• Thai Retirement Visa
• Thai Notary Service
• Property Lawyer
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Passport holders who are not eligible to enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme or Visa on Arrival Scheme are required to get a tourist visa through a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate prior to their visit.

If you seek a long-term visa or are traveling for a purpose other than tourism, you can find other Thailand Visas here.

https://www.siam-legal.com/legal_services/thailand-visa-services.php

Holders of normal passports of the following countries are granted visa-free travel to Thailand for a period of up to 30 days. The exemption is granted at most twice in a calendar year when entering over land or via a sea border but there is no limitation when entering by air. For Malaysians entering by land border, there is no limitation in issuing the 30-day visa exemption stamp. Korea, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and Chile will get 90 days in both airport and land border.

64 Countries allowed to enter Thailand under the VISA EXEMPTION RULE

Covid and vaccination requirements.

Proof of this paperwork is not required before leaving a home country, but Airline staff and Immigration Officers are conducting random checks of passengers arriving in the country. A Visa Exemption stamp may be denied if the relevant paperwork cannot be provided.

Children under 18 will enter Thailand the same way as their parents. If a child travels with unvaccinated parents, they will need to provide proof of Covid tests.

Travel Insurance for Visa Exempt Visitors

With travel restrictions eased, Thailand removed the need for Visa Exempt travelers to provide proof of a valid Covid Insurance policy. It is important to note that foreign visitors are not eligible for free medical care while in Thailand. If a foreigner requires medical attention, they will need to cover any expenses themselves.

Travel insurance is a wise choice for people traveling abroad. It not only covers COVID-related incidents but also:

• Medical emergencies
• Personal injury & accidents
• Missed or delayed flights
• Damage to belongings
• Lost luggage

To ensure you have the best cover possible while visiting Thailand and to avoid potential exclusions or conditions, choose Travel Insurance which is designed for Thailand.

AXA Thailand: AXA Sawasdee Thailand

AXA Sawasdee Thailand is a well-known and respected insurance company in Thailand that caters to travelers from around the world. Their policies are straightforward, approved in minutes, and trusted by Thai authorities and medical institutions.

For the best Travel Insurance, a Visa Exempt traveler can have in Thailand, look to AXA Thailand .

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