Travel agencies in the United Kingdom - statistics & facts
Travel agencies are companies selling travel and tourism products and services on behalf of accommodation, airlines, cruise lines, and other travel suppliers. Such businesses, including self-employed agents, brick-and-mortar stores, and online travel agencies (OTAs), make a profit by receiving commissions from providers or charging customers a fee. In 2022, the market size of the travel agency industry in the United Kingdom amounted to an estimated 17 billion British pounds. While this figure denoted a significant annual increase, it remained below the industry’s market size reported prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Overall, most UK businesses operating in this market were small enterprises as of 2022. That year, approximately eight in ten companies in the travel agency and tour operator industry in the UK employed less than five people.
On the other hand, miniples and independents refer to companies with a smaller number of branches, in some cases only operating in one town, region, or niche markets such as luxury travel or ski holidays. It is common for many small and independent agencies to join a consortium, where collectively they can compete with the bigger market players. Advantage Travel Partnership is one of the largest consortia in the country, with around 300 travel shops as of June 2023. As of that month, it ranked third, behind Hays Travel and TUI, in the list of the leading travel agencies in the United Kingdom based on the number of stores.
Retail travel agencies in the United Kingdom
In the UK, there are several types of retail travel agents, referred to as multiples, miniples, or independents. Multiples are large companies operating a chain of retail outlets, the major player being TUI. In 2022, the annual revenue of TUI UK Limited, part of the German-based tourism group TUI AG, added up to nearly 4.9 billion British pounds, roughly three percent lower than in 2019.On the other hand, miniples and independents refer to companies with a smaller number of branches, in some cases only operating in one town, region, or niche markets such as luxury travel or ski holidays. It is common for many small and independent agencies to join a consortium, where collectively they can compete with the bigger market players. Advantage Travel Partnership is one of the largest consortia in the country, with around 300 travel shops as of June 2023. As of that month, it ranked third, behind Hays Travel and TUI, in the list of the leading travel agencies in the United Kingdom based on the number of stores.
