The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has criticized the UK Home Office’s proposal to raise UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) fees by 60% to GBP 16, calling it detrimental to the country’s tourism competitiveness. Willie Walsh, IATA’s director-general, stated that the increase contradicts the government’s goal to boost tourist arrivals by 30% to 50 million annually by 2030.
Walsh noted that the higher ETA cost, combined with the world’s highest Air Passenger Duty (APD), risks discouraging travelers, especially when the EU’s ETIAS offers a more affordable alternative. He urged the government to prioritize cost competitiveness, emphasizing the economic benefits tourism brings, including its contribution of $160.7 billion to the GDP and 1.6 million jobs. Walsh concluded that imposing excessive fees on visitors before they arrive undermines the UK’s appeal as a travel destination.
