BETA marks 22 years in Parliament and warns that slow progress on youth tourism policies is holding the UK back
Young international visitors to the UK contributed £37.7 billion to the UK economy in 2024, according to new annual figures released by the British Educational Travel Association (BETA).
The findings, presented at BETA’s 22nd anniversary Parliamentary Reception in the House of Lords, provide the definitive annual snapshot of the size and economic contribution of young international visitors. The event brought together senior industry leaders and Parliamentarians, including The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office and HM Paymaster General, who is overseeing development of the new UK–EU Youth Experience Scheme, who, in his speech said:
International visits create lifelong connections. When young people experience another country, the relationship they form grows over time, enriching our economies and strengthening ties across the UK and Europe. But the value of mobility goes far beyond pounds or euros; it is about nurturing relationships, deepening centuries-old links and building a stronger United Kingdom and a stronger Europe.
A sector of enormous economic scale
In 2024, the UK welcomed 13.6 million international youth, student and educational visitors.
To illustrate the scale:
13.6 million young visitors are enough to fill Wembley Stadium 150 times over.
BETA’s annual Youth, Student & Educational Travel Volume & Value Statistics consolidate data from across the industry to reveal the full breadth of the sector, spanning study travel, cultural group visits, language learning, higher education enrolments, working holidays and youth tourism.
Commenting on the findings, Emma English, Executive Director of BETA, said:
These figures show the extraordinary value of young visitors to the UK. Youth and student travellers stay longer, spend more locally and disperse more widely. They return as graduates, professionals and future leaders. This is an engine of long-term economic growth and soft power, yet we are still leaving far too much potential on the table.
What the UK is currently losing – and why action is urgent
Alongside the new statistics, BETA highlighted the widening gap between the sector’s potential and its current performance. Post-Brexit travel barriers, rising costs and slow policy progress are restricting youth mobility at a time of intensifying global competition.
Under-18 group travel: recovery blocked by slow, piecemeal agreements
The UK currently has only two operational agreements for under-18 school group travel – with France and Germany. These bilateral arrangements allow eligible school groups to travel without passports, visas or ETAs, and permit EU pupils to use national ID cards.
However, while the terms have been agreed, the German scheme has not yet gone live, and France remains the only fully operational exemption in practice.
For all other EU Member States:
- All pupils must travel using their own nationality’s passport
- Depending on their citizenship, non-EU pupils may require an ETA or a full visa
- Youth clubs, sports teams, cultural and language groups remain fully excluded, as the agreements cover school groups only
A Europe-wide Youth Experience Scheme (YES) is urgently needed
BETA is calling for an ambitious UK–EU YES scheme with:
- Eligibility up to age 35
- 24-month stays, with the option of a third year
- Multi-entry rights
- Reduced or waived IHS
- A fully digital, simplified application system
Without this, the UK risks losing a generation of young Europeans and limiting UK young people’s access to life-changing opportunities across the EU.
Overhaul of existing Youth Mobility Schemes
The UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS), covering non-EU partner countries, is operating at just 26% utilisation, leaving significant economic value untapped due to:
- Affordability
- Speed and simplicity
- Limited marketing
A single overhaul: YES + YMS reform
Together, an ambitious YES and a reformed global YMS would create a modern, world-leading youth mobility system, enabling the UK to:
- Rebuild European youth mobility
- Strengthen global partnerships
- Attract more young visitors
- Expand UK outbound opportunity
- Support long-term economic and cultural exchange
This is not about two separate schemes; it is about modernising the UK’s entire youth mobility offer for a new generation.
No funded global marketing campaign
Competitor nations invest heavily in promoting youth mobility; the UK does not.
Without targeted promotion, uptake of new schemes will remain far below potential.
Rising costs and global competitiveness concerns
With the UK ranked 113th out of 119 countries for global price competitiveness, proposals for a Visitor Levy and a £925 International Student Levy risk weakening demand unless carefully designed.
A pivotal moment for youth mobility
Reflecting on the findings, BETA Chair Stephen Lowy said:
Globally, one in every four international arrivals is a young traveller. If the UK wants to remain competitive, we must rebuild mobility, reduce barriers and create modern, ambitious routes for young people to study, travel and work here. The economic and cultural return is enormous – but only if we act quickly.
Publication
The full Youth, Student & Educational Travel Volume & Value Statistics 2025 report is available exclusively to BETA members via www.betauk.com.
Non-members can access the report by joining BETA.
And finally, photographs from yesterday’s Parliamentary Reception, including moments from the speech, networking and celebration of our 22-year milestone, are now available to view and download.
Author: Helen Leigh
