Brexit Concerns Drive Away French and German Tourists From the UK |

Brexit Concerns Drive Away French and German Tourists From the UK

According to recent reports, tourists from France and Germany are choosing to avoid visiting the UK due to concerns surrounding Brexit which has a negative impact on the tourism industry in the UK.

Many French and German tourists are concerned about the impact of Brexit on travel to the UK. Some are worried about the need for visas, while others are concerned about the potential for increased costs and delays at border crossings.

Before Brexit, French and Germans could use ID cards to visit the UK but this has changed in October 2021 as they would need a valid passport to enter the UK. Less than half the population of France and Germany hold valid passports as they can travel with their national ID cards when crossing the borderless Schengen Area and the rest of the EU countries.

Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding the future relationship between the UK and the EU has led some tourists to choose other destinations for their holidays.

The decline in visitors from France and Germany is a significant blow to the UK's tourism industry, which relies heavily on international visitors.

French School Trips Prefer Ireland Over the UK

It has been reported that French school trips to the UK have been halted by new entry requirements.

School leaders have stated that regulations to enter the UK have become so complicated that they are choosing to organise school trips to Ireland or Malta instead.

The number one concern is the passport requirement for EU visitors. Then comes the issue of non-EU students in France who now need a visa to visit the UK which is an arduous process.

The journey to Ireland or Malta may cost more but it's simpler.

Research by the Tourism Alliance last year found there had been an 83% drop in schoolchildren and students visiting the UK, leading to a loss of £875m and 14,500 jobs.

The recent talks between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanual Macron have provided hope to the travel industry as they announced that France and the UK would expand opportunities for school trips.

The industry is also concerned about the plan to introduce UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which is set to launch later in the year. The scheme will mean that even tourists who do not require a visa will need to pay for a digital permit to enter the UK.

This is an additional deterrent for EU tourists visiting the UK.

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