Published on
August 28, 2025
By: Paramita Sarkar
The UK travel industry is urging the government to prioritize negotiations with the European Union (EU) to secure a renewed youth mobility deal, aiming to boost the tourism sector and enhance UK-EU relations. This comes in response to new research that shows widespread public support for such an agreement, which would provide young people the opportunity to work, live, and study in the EU temporarily. This call to action is crucial for revitalizing the UK’s outbound travel sector, which is facing post-Brexit challenges that directly impact tourism and seasonal employment.
What Is the Importance of the EU Youth Mobility Deal?
The UK’s travel industry, contributing over £52 billion annually to the economy, is closely tied to youth mobility, which traditionally allows young workers to gain experience in overseas roles within the tourism sector. New research from ABTA and YouGov reveals that 76% of British respondents are in favor of a youth mobility deal with the EU, a sentiment that crosses demographic lines, including 61% of those who voted to leave the EU in 2016. The significant backing from the public highlights the potential benefits of restoring these opportunities for young people, particularly as the industry faces a shortage of workers in essential roles, including travel representatives.
Why Does the UK Need a Renewed Youth Mobility Deal?
The push for a renewed EU Youth Mobility deal is a direct response to the challenges faced by the UK travel industry post-Brexit. Since the UK left the EU, there has been a significant decline in the number of opportunities available to young UK nationals in tourism roles, with positions like travel representatives seeing a dramatic 69% drop. The UK’s outbound travel sector, which sees two-thirds of its holidays taken within the EU, relies heavily on these mobility opportunities. Restoring these roles is essential for ensuring the continued success and competitiveness of the UK travel industry, which faces growing concerns about workforce shortages and limited access to temporary employment opportunities across the EU.
Where Does the Issue Stand in Terms of Public Support?
The survey conducted by ABTA and YouGov shows that public support for a youth mobility agreement is overwhelming. This widespread support extends across all voter demographics, with notable backing from those who voted for Brexit. The fact that 61% of Brexit supporters are in favor of a renewed mobility deal signals the broader recognition of the importance of youth mobility, not just for the travel industry but for fostering stronger UK-EU relations. As the survey results indicate, 66% of respondents believe that closer ties between the UK and the EU would benefit the UK economy, underscoring the significance of the issue beyond the tourism sector.
What Role Will the Government Play in Securing the Deal?
The government plays a critical role in the negotiations to secure a renewed EU Youth Mobility deal. ABTA and Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT) have called for the UK government to expedite the process, ensuring that a comprehensive agreement is reached to provide certainty for the travel industry. The need for clarity and stability is vital, as ongoing changes to border arrangements and immigration policies have created uncertainty for UK workers and businesses operating within the EU. Securing this deal would not only address the immediate challenges faced by the tourism sector but would also lay the foundation for long-term collaboration and prosperity between the UK and the EU.
How Will the Renewed Deal Benefit the Travel Industry?
A renewed youth mobility agreement would provide the UK travel industry with a much-needed boost. Temporary work opportunities across the EU are essential for many young workers to gain valuable experience in the tourism sector, helping to fill vacancies and ensure the continued smooth operation of travel businesses. With fewer opportunities available since Brexit, the UK travel sector has been unable to meet the demand for skilled workers in key seasonal roles. By restoring these opportunities, the industry can help bridge the skills gap, ensuring that travel companies have access to the workforce they need to meet customer demands.
The tourism sector’s recovery is closely linked to youth mobility, with many young people starting their careers through temporary roles in travel and hospitality. These experiences provide valuable training and support for the wider industry, allowing young workers to develop essential skills that are transferred back to the UK tourism sector. By restoring these mobility opportunities, the UK will be better equipped to compete in the global tourism market.
What Are the Expected Outcomes of the Deal?
Securing a youth mobility deal would have far-reaching benefits for both the UK and the EU. For the UK, it would restore a crucial source of temporary labor, strengthen ties with EU countries, and boost the overall competitiveness of the tourism sector. For the EU, the deal would provide the region with access to skilled young workers from the UK, helping to meet seasonal labor demands and ensure the continued growth of the tourism industry.
Additionally, the renewal of this agreement would signify an important step toward mending and strengthening UK-EU relations post-Brexit. With many survey respondents expressing the belief that closer ties between the UK and the EU would be beneficial for the economy, the renewed youth mobility deal could serve as a symbol of collaboration and shared prosperity.
Conclusion: Why Is the Youth Mobility Deal a Top Priority?
In conclusion, securing a renewed EU Youth Mobility deal is a top priority for the UK travel industry as it seeks to recover from the challenges of Brexit. The overwhelming public support, coupled with the significant decline in opportunities for young UK nationals in the tourism sector, highlights the urgent need for the government to take action. Restoring youth mobility would not only benefit the UK tourism industry but would also reinforce the importance of closer UK-EU relations, fostering mutual growth and economic development. For the travel industry to thrive in the post-Brexit era, securing a comprehensive and stable youth mobility agreement is essential.
