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Antor and Tourism Alliance surveys highlight resilience in outbound travel and risks for inbound tourism

Two new industry surveys from Antor (the association of international tourist offices and representatives based in the UK) and the Tourism Alliance (the umbrella trade association for the tourism industry in the UK) reveal a mixed but important picture for the UK travel and tourism sector amid the ongoing Middle East and Gulf crisis.


Antor poll shows stable UK outbound demand


Antor’s April 2026 member survey suggests UK outbound travel remains resilient despite global uncertainty. Half of the surveyed destinations reported no change in UK bookings, while 14.29% saw increases, particularly in Asia and the Caribbean. However, 35.72% reported declines, with growing concern around forward bookings beyond summer and into 2027.


Key findings include:


  • 71.43% reported no rise in cancellations or postponements

  • Rising costs and general uncertainty are the biggest traveller concerns

  • Only 35.71% reported indirect impacts despite being geographically distant from the conflict

  • Most destinations have not changed marketing activity or budgets


Looking ahead, 57.14% of respondents expect a gradual or strong recovery in UK travel demand over the next three to six months.


Manuel Butler, Antor Chair and Director of Tourism, Spanish Tourist Office, said: “The survey underscores the resilience of UK outbound travel, with most destinations reporting stable demand and only limited increases in cancellations. While cost and uncertainty are top concerns, the industry is responding with targeted reassurance and maintaining steady marketing activity. The outlook for the coming months is cautiously optimistic, with recovery expected to outweigh further decline.”



Tourism Alliance warns summer season is “at risk”


The Tourism Alliance’s latest Iran Crisis poll presents a more cautious outlook for UK tourism businesses. Every respondent rated the summer peak season (June–August 2026) as “at risk”, while 92% remain concerned about the crisis’s impact. Businesses cited weakening forward bookings and rising fuel and transport costs as the biggest pressures, alongside falling consumer confidence and inbound demand.


The poll also found:


  • 42% say conditions have worsened since the previous survey

  • 83% expect uncertainty to continue throughout the summer

  • No respondents expect a full recovery in the near term


Industry members are calling for stronger Government support, clearer travel messaging and measures to protect aviation connectivity and business confidence.


Balancing resilience and risk


Together, the surveys highlight a sector balancing resilience in traveller demand with increasing operational and financial pressures for tourism businesses. While international travel demand remains relatively steady for now, uncertainty around costs, bookings and consumer confidence continues to shape the outlook for the months ahead.




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