BETA has written to the newly appointed Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, setting out the economic importance of the UK’s youth, student and educational travel sector and calling for renewed Government support to remove barriers that continue to restrict growth.
The letter highlights the significant contribution our sector makes to the UK economy, generating an estimated £37.7 billion annually and welcoming 13.6 million young visitors to the UK in 2024 alone.
While there have been positive developments, including the introduction of the French school group arrangements and the forthcoming German scheme, BETA has emphasised that rebuilding youth mobility one bilateral agreement at a time will not deliver the pace or scale of recovery the sector needs.
In the letter, we have asked the Government to prioritise three key areas:
1. Establish a Europe-wide framework for organised under-18 travel
Creating a practical, long-term solution covering all EU Member States, extending beyond schools to include organised youth groups, sports teams, cultural organisations and educational programmes, whilst simplifying border arrangements for accompanied groups.
2. Deliver an ambitious UK–EU Youth Experience Scheme
Designing a scheme that is affordable, accessible and internationally competitive, alongside reforms to the existing Youth Mobility Scheme, helping more young people live, study, work and travel between the UK and Europe.
3. Protect the competitiveness of youth and educational travel
Ensuring that measures such as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), visitor levies and the International Student Levy do not unintentionally reduce the UK’s attractiveness as a destination for young international visitors.
Join us at Parliament
Our annual Parliamentary Reception returns to the House of Lords on Tuesday 8 December 2026, bringing together parliamentarians, government representatives and leaders from across the youth, student and educational travel sector.
The reception provides an important opportunity to continue building awareness of our industry, strengthen relationships with policymakers and ensure that the voice of the sector is heard at the highest levels of Government.
We look forward to welcoming members to what promises to be another important evening for the future of youth, student and educational travel.
Author: Helen Leigh
