Inbound Visitor Economy: A vital UK export industry

In 2026, the UK is forecast to welcome 45.5 million international visitors, who will contribute £35.7 billion to the economy.

Compared with 2025, this represents growth of 4% in visits and 7% in nominal spend (equivalent to 5% spending growth in real terms). In 2025, it is estimated that the UK welcomed 43.6 million international visitors, who contributed £33.4 billion to the economy.

The UK’s inbound visitor economy is the country’s second-largest service export industry and fifth-largest export earner.

UKinbound works closely with tourism businesses and fully supports the activity of the national tourist boards – VisitBritain, VisitScotland, Visit Wales and Discover Northern Ireland – in promoting the UK to overseas markets, which is critical in driving consumer demand.