A report, Unlocking Travel’s Potential, produced by Abta and Seasonal Businesses in Travel (Sbit) found the number of UK workers in holiday roles in the EU has decreased from 11,970 in 2017 to just 3,700 in 2023, a drop of 69%.

Data was gathered from 127 UK travel businesses selling holidays in the EU, with jobs lost including ski chalet hosts, holiday reps and tour guides. Nearly two-thirds (61%) of UK travel companies said problems hiring UK seasonal staff could reduce possibilities for growth over the next five years. This was the top concern for UK travel businesses, above the impact of the cost of living crisis on consumer spending and other economic conditions.

Unveiled at Abta’s Travel Matters seminar on Wednesday (14 June), the report also highlighted an increase in the time and cost of employing UK staff overseas due to increased red tape following Brexit, with each country now setting their own rules for the UK.

The report’s authors said: “For example, it is estimated to cost an additional £880 to recruit each UK seasonal worker to work in France.” The report noted many EU countries “do not have any applicable routes of entry for UK staff”.

There are fears of a knock-on effect for the industry in future years as talent is not developed. The report found 38% of UK travel sector staff have worked an overseas season in the tourism industry, rising to 49% of senior managers. However, the share of young UK workers in overseas roles has declined from 62% of overseas staff in 2017 to 42% in 2023. In France, the winter season figure has fallen 72%.

Sbit managing director Charles Owen said: “It’s proving tremendously difficult to employ the UK staff we need to run our businesses in the EU. In some countries it’s a mountain of complex paperwork, delays and extra costs that need to be overcome, in others there isn’t really a workable route.”

Urgent action necessary

Abta and Sbit are calling for action from the UK and EU governments. They want the Youth Mobility Scheme extended to EU countries to allow young people to work in the UK and EU countries for up to two years, but without automatic longer-term right to remain. The UK already has similar arrangements with Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

They also want a seasonal worker arrangement beyond the current one limited to roles like fruit picking and which is only for 90 days. The organisations also call for mutual recognition of qualifications to make it easier for tourism workers such as guides to work in the EU and UK. 

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “It can’t be emphasised enough just how fundamental being able to work abroad is for the UK travel industry. Not only do people gain those important language and soft skills, they’re also set on a path for a good career and many become leaders in the industry. 
 
“With the UK outbound travel industry contributing £49 billion a year to the UK economy and a major driver of growth, not putting in the right mobility arrangements with the EU could come at a cost to UK plc. Yet there are simple and sensible solutions to overcome these barriers, and I’d urge ministers to make this a priority and take action urgently.”