Survey finds “growing pressure” on youth group travel to UK this year

Findings from a February-March 2026 pulse survey conducted by the British Educational Travel Association (BETA) highlight "growing pressure" on inbound youth travel to the UK this year.

The survey gathered responses from 211 international buyers and agents responsible for organising youth group travel to the UK, including school groups, educational tours, and language programmes. Just over half (54%) of the responding buyers and agents were located in Europe, with the balance based in non-European "long-haul markets."

Half of the respondents reported that demand for group travel to the UK is weaker than in 2025, with a similar proportion (56%) indicating that the UK is now harder to sell than in the past. Nearly four in ten (37%) expect bookings to decline in 2026 with only 12% reporting stronger demand relative to 2025.

"While demand has not disappeared," BETA adds, "the data suggests that conversion is being constrained by a combination of cost pressures and access barriers."

The respondents referred to rising accommodation, transport, and programme fees in particular, alongside less favourable exchange rates against the British pound. They noted as well the increased administrative burden for schools and group travel organisers, particularly the friction introduced by requirements for visas, electronic travel authorisations (ETAs), and passports in the post-Brexit marketplace.

“Teachers are filling in tons of lists and doing too much paperwork,” said one respondent. "Organising school trips is becoming more time-consuming and complex than it needs to be,” added another.

At the same time, competition is increasing from other destinations in Europe where, in the words of one survey participant, "EU competitors are much cheaper with less strict entry requirements. Another said: "We are losing groups to destinations that are easier to access and more affordable."

Finally, the survey observed an apparent impact from world events. As BETA explains, "Among responses received before late February, 45% reported weaker demand for 2026. This rose to 55% among those responding after the escalation of geopolitical tensions, indicating a clear impact on confidence and booking behaviour."

The survey results also point to levers that would boost the UK's attractiveness for international youth travel: greater price certainty or improved affordability for group bookings and especially streamlined visa and entry processes and a reduced administrative burden generally.

“What this data shows very clearly is that demand for the UK is still there, but it is becoming harder to convert that demand into bookings," said BETA Executive Director Emma English. "International partners are telling us they are facing increasing challenges around cost, complexity and confidence."

"This is a highly organised, group-based market, and small changes in policy or process can have a significant impact on whether a trip goes ahead or not. If we want to remain competitive internationally, we need to ensure the UK is as accessible, affordable and easy to navigate as possible for schools, students and the organisations that support them.”

The significance of that outlook is underscored by ongoing reporting from English UK, which makes it very clear that youth group travel plays a significant role in the ELT sector.

In the most recent full-year reporting (2024), junior students accounted for 62% of English language course enrolments in the UK, and 33% of all student weeks.

For additional background, please see:

• "UK ELT reports challenging enrolment trends continued through last quarter of 2025"
• "Economic impact of UK ELT estimated at nearly £2 billion"
• "UK ELT reports a decline in student weeks for 2024"