UK Spearheads Business Travel to Europe as Screen Tourism Flourishes in 2025
The UK travel industry is witnessing a significant growth in business travel to Europe, which is now the primary destination for British companies’ international trips. As per the data, a staggering 84% of business travel in 2024 was directed towards the continent. Concurrently, leisure tourism to Great Britain is on the rise, with 9.3 million overseas visitors recorded in Q2 2025. This surge is attributed to the popularity of short breaks via rail travel and the growing fascination with film-inspired locations.
As stated in the UK Government’s 2025 Business Travel Survey and VisitBritain’s strategic plans, Europe continues to be the dominant choice for UK businesses. This preference significantly surpasses North America at 43% and the Middle East at 23%. The trend in business travel is primarily fueled by frequent cross-border operations with European partners, particularly with France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
On the leisure front, screen tourism is expanding its appeal among younger travelers and film enthusiasts. VisitBritain continues to invest in marketing film-related destinations, contributing to this trend. Rail journeys across Great Britain have become the preferred option for short stays, especially for visitors from France, Germany, and Spain. This trend is expected to persist into 2025.
Source: Travel and Tour World