UKInbound Update - January 2026

There have been several significant developments affecting our industry over the past few weeks and below is a summary of the key policy updates, consultations and opportunities for you to be involved. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to the team.

ETA and two-year visitor visa price increases 

I’m afraid we’ve received very disappointing details from the UK Government that, subject to parliamentary approval, it intends to raise the cost of a two-year visitor visa from £475 to £506, and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from £16 to £20. Another blow to our industry. You can view Joss’s media comment on the proposal here. Our next step is to write an open letter to the Home Secretary The Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP and we will be inviting members to sign.

ETA enforcement and impact on British dual nationals 

The UK Government has announced that from 25 February 2026, eligible visitors without an ETA will not be able to board their transport and cannot legally travel to the UK. It has also been confirmed that dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship are exempt from needing an ETA; however, they must travel to the UK using either a valid British or Irish passport, or a Certificate of Entitlement. From the same date, dual British citizens who cannot present one of these documents will face additional identity checks and will not be able to proceed through UK passport control until their British nationality is verified. Please update the terms and conditions for your customers to ensure they are travelling on the correct documentation.

England Tourism Levy 

Following a letter we sent to all England Mayoral Combined Authorities just before Christmas, we have had constructive discussions with the Mayoral offices in Manchester, Liverpool and London, with a range of meetings pencilled in with both our CEO Joss and Chair Rebecca, in the coming weeks. We have also received confirmation from the Tees Valley Mayor that they do not plan to implement a levy. I’m currently drafting our submission to the Visitor Levy in England consultation, which closes on the 18 February. Please do consider sharing your view via the consultation.

Business Rates Impact Poll – it will only take 2 minutes to complete! 

Thank you to those that provided evidence on the impact of the upcoming business rates increases, these responses were fed into government. In order to provide a comprehensive picture from the wider visitor economy about this impact, the Tourism Alliance are undertaking a Business Rates Impact Poll – it should only take 2 minutes, but your input is invaluable and will allow us to develop a stronger industry case. You can find the poll here.  

VisitBritain/VisitEngland publishes new report - Economic Value of Tourism in the United Kingdom

This is a very valuable new report from VB that forecasts tourism’s value rising from £147 billion to £161 billion by 2030, driven by strong potential from high‑spending inbound markets and by encouraging more Brits to holiday at home, which could add £8 billion annually. However, the report also notes pressures including the decline of domestic holidays, rising business costs and increased global competition. VisitBritain/VisitEngland emphasise that addressing these issues will be vital to unlocking tourism’s full economic potential across the UK. You can view the report here.

Tourism Alliance Tourism Insights 2026 and Parliamentary Reception – 18 March 

Tourism Insights 2026, hosted by the Tourism Alliance, will take place on Wednesday 18 March 2026 at the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. The conference will bring together industry leaders, policymakers and experts to explore the latest tourism data, trends and policy priorities, followed by the English Tourism Week Parliamentary Reception at the Palace of Westminster. For more information and tickets visit here.