Parliamentary Reception

Join us at our annual Parliamentary Reception at the House of Lords.

This important event will bring together BETA members, MPs and Peers, Government departments, and key stakeholders to highlight the long-term value of the youth, student and educational travel sector – not just to our economy, but to the UK’s global influence.

Why this matters:

Youth and educational travel is a dynamic, fast-growing sector that plays a vital role in advancing the UK’s soft power strategy. Each year, millions of young people come to the UK for study, cultural exchange, language learning, or group travel. These experiences create deep-rooted personal, professional, and cultural ties that last a lifetime – fostering the next generation of global citizens, leaders, and UK advocates.

In 2023 alone, the sector welcomed 13.6 million young international visitors, contributing £37.7 billion to the UK economy and accounting for over one-third of all inbound tourism. Characteristically, youth travellers stay longer, spend more locally (with 69% of their budget going directly into the community), and disperse beyond the traditional tourist centres.

Shaping future policy:

This reception is also an opportunity to highlight BETA’s key lobbying priorities, including:

• The creation of a Youth Group Travel Scheme, allowing low-risk groups of under-18s to visit the UK for cultural and educational purposes
• Expansion of the Youth Mobility Scheme, enabling young people aged 18–35 to live, work and travel freely
• Clearer visa pathways and greater accessibility for both inbound and outbound youth mobility
• Recognition of global marketing opportunities to position the UK as a leading destination for youth and student travel

Youth, student and educatonal travel is high-value, globally influential, and critical to the UK’s long-term economic and diplomatic success.

We also encourage you to invite your local MP to attend alongside you, helping to broaden the conversation and influence.  If you are unsure, please use this tool Find Your MP

We hope you’ll join us to celebrate, champion, and protect this vital sector – and ensure the UK remains a global leader in youth, student, and educational travel.                                       

We also encourage you to invite your local MP or an influential stakeholder to attend alongside you, helping to broaden the conversation and influence.