UKinbound, a leading travel trade association, returned to the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) last month, hosting the UK stand in collaboration with 16 tourism businesses from across the country. These included ABBA Voyage, Battersea Power Station, Evan Evans Tours, Marketing Manchester, and The Lowry Hotel Manchester, among others.
The UK stand, shared with partners VisitBritain, showcased a diverse range of British tourism products to a key international audience. This year, 2025 is being highlighted as a landmark year to visit the UK, coinciding with significant celebrations and new launches. Highlights include the 250th birthday of Jane Austen, the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and Bradford being crowned the UK City of Culture. The country will also host the Woman’s Rugby World Cup, alongside numerous new hotels, food halls, immersive tours and attractions opening across the nation. Earlier this year, VisitBritain launched its global screen tourism campaign, starring GREAT Britain, targeting major inbound visitor markets, including the GCC countries. The campaign highlights destinations across England, Scotland, and Wales as settings for iconic films and shows, with new itineraries encouraging visitors to explore more regional areas and extend their stays. A key factor in making UK travel more accessible for GCC nationals is the introduction of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in 2024. This scheme allows unlimited visits to the UK over a two-year period for a fee of just £16, significantly streamlining the entry process. The GCC remains a highly valuable inbound market for Britain. VisitBritain forecasts 1.4 million visits from the GCC to the UK in 2025, with these visitors projected to spend £3.5 billion on their trips, representing a 25 per cent increase on 2024 figures.