Leaving the country and getting some sun – everyone loves feeling the warmth of a foreign sun but, with the departure of the UK from the EU, are you going to have pay a lot more for this privilege?

According to the Institute Of Hospitality, 76% of UK holidays abroad are in European Union countries and 63% of holidaymakers in the UK are from these EU countries.

Back in 2014 the UK’s net contribution to the EU was around £9.8 billion which covers 12.6% of the total EU budget, the third largest contribution.

Screen Shot 2017-04-07 at 15.37.49.png(infographic created by the Institute Of Hospitality)

When looking at movement of goods and services, around half of total UK exports are accounted for by EU countries, making it the single most important market for the UK.
Brexit consumer impacts:

– Roaming Charges;  The EU has recently introduced caps for mobile phone roaming charges, however the law applying these rules would be removed by Brexit, unless the UK Government acted to ensure it remained on Statute.

– Freedom of Movement; While the UK retains passport control we may have to have visas to travel within the EU this all depending on the outcome.

– European Health Insurance Card; The EHIC is available to all EU residents and guarantees the holder access to local health services on the same terms as those available to locals. In the event of Brexit this could all change meaning insurance premiums would increase and making you pay a lot more if anything was to happen on holiday.

The ability for you, or your children, to work in, for example, ski and beach resorts without a work permit, or fund a trip around Europe by taking casual jobs as you travel, is down to our EU membership which is all about to change. Brexit will mean a rethink of those rules and this could mean a work permit is going to be needed to work in these places.

Sara Wakelam (45) a travel agent for Co-op Travel in Sheffield, said: “As a company we’re 17% up on last year so have seen no negative effects as yet due to Brexit but no one knows the ultimate outcome.pta.jpg

“We have seen a price increase yes, a definite increase for ‘Euro’ countries with Spain and Portugal being the most popular, but as well as Brexit terrorisum is playing a part in it as well, it’s making people a lot more apprehensive.

“We have seen a difference in the amount of people booking holidays and trips away to places like Turkey and Egypt. Although the prices are greatly reduced for Muslim countries, people are still willing to pay the extra to stay in ‘safe’ countries such as Spain and Portugal. And you can’t sway their minds!.”

In the short term, Britain’s tourism industry is already looking to benefit from the frail pound as staycations here in the UK increase and international tourists make the most of the exchange rate.