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How will Brexit affect travelers?
The world was shocked by the UK’s decision to depart from the European Union last week. As the decision takes its toll on the world’s economy, it is necessary to remember that it will also have an impact on tourism.
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Among all travelers to Britain, EU travelers are likely to be those most directly impacted by this decision. (Shutterstock/-)
T
he world was shocked by the UK’s decision to depart from the European Union last week. As the decision takes its toll on the world’s economy, it is necessary to remember that it will also have an impact on tourism. But just how will Brexit affect travelers?
“Regardless of whether you believe that Brexit was a positive or negative move for the UK, there will undoubtedly be repercussions for travelers in light of the decision,” said Ross Veitch, CEO and co-founder of Singapore-based travel search site Wego, in a press release on Friday.
(Read also: Brexit will not affect tuition fees for Indonesians: UK Ambassador)
At the moment when Wego published their press release, the UK Pound had dropped 9.8 percent from its initial place and its value to the US dollar had also shifted to 1.3415. Veitch translated this change as “a cheaper UK holiday for most foreign tourists than how it has been for about 20 years.” He also mentioned that with this, in-destination trip costs including accommodation, dining, entertainment and shopping costs are more likely to be “significantly better value” for foreign travelers.
Among all travelers to Britain, EU travelers will most likely be the ones who are most directly impacted by this decision. If previously they were free to enter the UK without a visa, due to the change they will probably have to queue along with other international travelers at UK airports.
Veitch also noted that airfare costs for UK’s national carriers might increase as the country would need to review its secured single aviation area treaties with the EU. However, this change will probably be accompanied with a drop in accommodation costs as the UK tries to maintain the number of visitors from Europe.
(Read also: Brexit: What would this mean for the youth?)
“London may now be increasingly challenged by other key EU hub airports such as Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam that will offer inbound travelers easier onward movement around EU member countries,” he said. He predicted that the UK government will also try to negotiate similar agreements to those it has held as an EU member.
Apart from this, Wego predicted that there could be a change in habits from Arab travelers. Veitch said that the high-spending travelers from Gulf nations might consider going to other countries to enjoy better shopping and holiday opportunities. Instead of London, which has been the most-popular European destination at www.wego.ae for some time, Arab travelers may now choose Rome. Aside from the Italian capital, which always been a popular European destination, Arab travelers might choose Spain and France that are famous among football lovers.
(Read also: EU calls for UK to 'Brexit' quickly; Britain wants more time)
In conclusion, he stated, “There’s no doubt that we’ll see visible changes in the UK’s travel industry and the government will have the unenviable task of implementing independent regulations to maintain the country’s position as a global tourism hub and gateway to Europe.” (kes)
