How Much Does the British Spend on Overseas Vacation?
Photo from: Denise Jans
The UK outbound travel market is up as people make up for time lost during the recent pandemic lockdowns. In 2023, UK residents spent £12.7 billion on overseas visits. It was 11% higher than in 2019 and £5 billion more from the same period in 2022.
The number of Brits taking holidays during the COVID-19 pandemic was unsurprisingly low but had improved significantly starting in 2022. Learn how much the average Brit spends on holidays and where they frequent most below.
Key Takeaways
- British people made 15.3 million overseas visits in 2023
- Spain, France, and Italy are the three most-visited holiday countries by the UK travellers
- The Brits like to go big on vacations as they have high outbound expenditures
Average Spending of UK Travellers for Outbound Vacations in 2023
In 2023, British people took an estimated 15.3 million trips overseas. The majority, or 8.6 million, went abroad to spend the holidays. Their second most common reason for travelling abroad was to see friends and relatives at 4.9 million visits. Meanwhile, 1.4 million people made business trips.
The 15.3 million visits abroad in Q1 2023 were significantly higher than in Q2 2022, which was 9.6 million. However, it is still 16% lower than pre-pandemic levels, or 18.2 million visits. It can be explained by airport disruptions during that time, as caused by staff shortages and the rising cost of living.
Which Countries Do Brit Tourists Spend the Most Money On?
Among all other countries in the world, British tourists were going to Spain the most. It is followed by France, Italy, Greece, and so on. This data is according to the International Passenger Survey 2022 from the Office for National Statistics.
Spain
Spain has a lot to offer. It boasts historical wonders, famous festivals, beautiful beaches, high-quality food, wine, etc. No wonder why 15.6 million Brits visited Spain in 2022, and 13.6 million went for holiday reasons.
British tourists spent €17.2 billion in Spain, an increase of 260% compared to 2021. Although the numbers are high, they didn't reach their peak, like in 2018, which saw €17.9 billion in expenditures.
Spain is the leading outbound travel market for the UK based on the growth in travel demand on Google as of June 2023. Data says there has been a 14.3% increase in the volume of Google searches on UK flights and accommodation in Spain in the past month.
It was also the Brits' leading holiday destination in 2019, with 15.8 million visits. Simultaneously, the UK is among Spain's largest inbound tourist demographics. Spain expects 18.7 million British tourists to visit by 2024.
Pro Tip!
If you’re asking how much the tourist visa is in the UK, it depends on your location and the visa type. If you're from Spain applying for a standard visitor visa good for six months, it’s at €139.
The UK and Spain have many mutual interests; they are partners in the EU and NATO and even share diplomatic ties going back 500 years. The second country that UK tourists like seeing abroad most is France.
France
The Brits love going to France—even the late Queen Elizabeth II had a personal bond with France, as she made many visits. However, it isn't close to Spain regarding the number of Brits visiting.
The Office for National Statistics estimated that France received 7.4 million British visitors in 2022. The general number of international tourist arrivals in France is expected to increase from 161.1 million in 2022 to 203.2 million in 2028. This is due to the high volume of British tourists coming in at the moment.
By 2022, all international travellers reportedly spent €57.4 billion in France. It is unclear how much the Brits spend yearly in France, but a single traveller may spend an average of £144 or €167 daily, as per Finder.com.
Pro Tip!
A budget of €167 a day in France will get you so much if you are economical. Budget vacationers there usually spend around $50 to $100 daily, including accommodation, transportation, food, and activities.
France’s tourism industry is one of the many that has successfully recovered from the impact of the pandemic. Its industry spending surpassed pre-pandemic numbers as tourists spent €58 billion in 2022, which is €1.2 billion higher than in 2019. This is according to Atout France, the government agency responsible for promoting the country.
Situated about 600 miles from France is Italy, the British holidaymakers’ third favourite country to see.
Italy
Italy is a fascinating country to visit at any time of the year. Almost 4 million Brits flocked there in 2022, and it saw 15.7 million arrivals from EU countries in April-June 2023. It’s a common destination not only for tourists but British retirees as well.
Retirement, for most, is about seeking an easier way of life, and Italy offers it for the Brits. According to the housing rental platform HousingAnywhere, the reasons some British citizens are keen to move to Italy are because of the following:
- Warm weather
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Gorgeous architecture
- Delicious food
UK holidaymakers in all age groups are estimated to spend less than £4,000 annually on holidays. It’s safe to say that those 4 million British tourists may splurge billions of euros in Italy yearly.
A finder.com survey among 2000 Brits showed that their' average holiday spend per day in Italy is £114 or around €132. Italy is generally less expensive than other European nations. A trip may cost one traveller between €70 and €305 per day depending on lodging, transportation, food, entertainment, activities, and the area.
Highest and Lowest Daily Average Spend
If you want to know how much the average person spends on holidays per year, it’s hard to say because of the varying social classes. But UK holidaymakers generally pay less than £4,000 on holidays each year. Around 32% of them aged 25-35 spend between £1,000- £2,000 yearly on holidays, and another 26% spend £2,000-£4,000.
In 2021, UK tourism statistics say UK travellers were the biggest spenders in Europe. Brits owned the highest share of first-class and business-class flights. Nevertheless, an earlier finding says the Brits are overspending their holiday budget. They are bad at keeping costs down on meals and nights out.
Brits who wish to travel are seeking budget-friendly options. Almost half, or 48%, of British respondents in another study, consider affordability as one of the main determining factors when choosing a vacation destination.
If you want to stay on budget, learn how much it takes to visit a place. Here’s how much a single day of holiday costs in some countries:
| Country | Daily Spend |
| Barbados | £231 |
| Malta | £184 |
| Switzerland | £172 |
| USA | £171 |
| United Arab Emirates | £171 |
| France | £144 |
| Luxembourg | £142 |
| Netherlands | £124 |
| Austria | £118 |
| Denmark | £118 |
| Italy | £114 |
| Greece | £113 |
| Belgium | £111 |
| Germany | £106 |
| Spain | £105 |
| Finland | £102 |
| Canada | £102 |
| Portugal | £98 |
| Sweden | £96 |
| Mexico | £96 |
| Jamaica | £95 |
| Australia | £93 |
| Republic of Ireland | £92 |
| Norway | £87 |
| Cyprus | £86 |
| Israel | £68 |
| Hong Kong | £82 |
| Japan | £81 |
| Thailand | £80 |
| Russia | £79 |
| Czech Republic | £79 |
| New Zealand | £75 |
| Slovakia | £68 |
| Hungary | £66 |
| South Africa | £61 |
| Lithuania | £60 |
| Brazil | £58 |
| Romania | £53 |
| Morocco | £53 |
| Turkey | £52 |
| Bulgaria | £50 |
| Poland | £46 |
| Tunisia | £46 |
| China | £41 |
| Sri Lanka | £38 |
| Nigeria | £34 |
| Egypt | £34 |
| Pakistan | £33 |
| India | £31 |
Depending on what you can afford, you may find the list cheaper than expected or costly. Look forward to spending the most money in Barbados as the average holiday cost there is £231/day. The Caribbean is a luxury holiday destination, and Barbados is among its most expensive places.
There’s no real answer if you ask how little you can spend on a vacation. Some people can grab cheap deals with luck, strategy, and a few connections.
Travel costs have generally been off the charts since the pandemic. NerdWallet’s Travel Price Index says that numbers aren’t as high as in Q1 2023, but they’re nowhere near the pre-pandemic levels.
Some prices are going up, some down, and others steady. But don’t fret; if your budget is tight, you can still accomplish your travel goals with proper planning. Use the chart above to learn how much to spend on a holiday, and do some research to have realistic estimates for your trip.
Pro Tip!
Assess your income and determine how much you are willing to spend. This way, you will always have enough money for your needs. Having your budget planned out makes a holiday much more manageable!
Typical Holidays Where UK Travellers Often Go Abroad
The UK has some of the most popular destinations and UNESCO World Heritage sites. But this doesn’t stop the Brits from exploring abroad—they adore countries with sun-and-sand potential.
Beach holidays were the most popular type of vacation for British consumers, according to a 2022 survey. It could explain their fancy for the sun-kissed shores of the countries mentioned above. The Brits are also drawn to a city break type of holiday, the countryside, and more.
Fun Fact!
Two-thirds of Brits revealed in a survey the many holiday failures from fellow Brits that they feel embarrassed about. It includes drinking beer at breakfast, leaving their hotel rooms messy, being loud, consuming British food like fish and chips instead of trying local delicacies, and more.
Britons also like vacationing during holidays like Easter and Christmas. There is no exact number of how many went, but experts estimated five million for Christmas and nearly two million over Easter.
Summertime is also a high time to go abroad. Tripadvisor’s Summer Travel Index shows that 81% of Brits schedule their holidays between June and August. 37% will take local and international trips, and 32% will only travel overseas. The remaining 31% will spend holidays at home or somewhere exclusively in the UK.
Conclusion
The UK outbound travel market experienced a significant resurgence after the COVID-19 pandemic. Britons like being overseas, mainly within the comfort of their continent, with countries like Spain, France, and Italy.
Typical holidays for UK travellers include beach holidays, city breaks, countryside exploration, and more. They love going abroad during holidays like Easter and Christmas or seasons like the summertime.
Britons spent billions overseas despite the inflation experienced in price fluctuations. To stay away from overspending, you can plan your trips wisely. This way, you’ll confidently achieve your travel goals.
FAQs on the Average Spending of Britons on Overseas Vacation
Is the United Kingdom expensive to visit?
Visiting the UK can mean shelling out large sums of money for some tourists. The cost of living in the UK is also higher than in other countries.
Which country contributes the highest spend to the UK inbound tourism?
US travellers contribute the most to the UK's travel industry. American tourists are estimated to have spent £3.4 billion in the UK in 2018. In 2022, the US also had the most extensive number of visits to the UK, totalling 4.6 million inbound trips.
Why is the UK a popular destination for international tourists?
The UK is a beautiful travel destination for its iconic landmarks, respected museums, indulgent food, diverse culture, and fascinating history.
How often do Brits go abroad?
In 2022, Britons took an average of 1.3 overseas holidays per capita.
How much money do UK residents spend on overnight trips in the UK?
In the second quarter of 2023, the Britons spent £8 billion for their 29.3 million overnight trips within Great Britain.