Recent research from ABTA Travel Association has shown that the number of United Kingdom citizens working in the European Union travel industry has decreased by 69 per cent since 2017.
The research found that the number of UK workers in the EU fell from 11,970 in 2017 to 3,700 in 2023, with those aged between 18 and 24 showing the most significant fall, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
According to ABTA, the decline in the number of Britons working in frontline roles such as ski guides, chalet hosts, or travel reps has mainly occurred due to the work visa and work permit rules that started applying to UK citizens following the exit of the UK from the EU.
“Our research finds there has been a fall of 69 per cent in the number of UK nationals working in the EU across the industry since 2017. The consequences of the loss of those workers go way beyond the impact on individuals or the increased costs of doing business for UK companies, although on both counts, these are significant,” the statement of ABTA reads.
The research notes that the main barriers since 2017 have been the cost of obtaining visas and work permits as well as other paperwork after Brexit, as under the current rules, all Britons need visas and permits for seasonal travel jobs.
The same stresses that while the Trade and Cooperation Agreement did include provisions for certain tourism workers to operate between the UK and EU for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, this does not cover the length of a typical summer or winter holiday season.
Thus, Britons wishing to take up seasonal travel jobs in the EU have been facing difficulties, pushing them not to reach the bloc for work purposes.
The research further emphasises that there are also other barriers, such as limitations on who can fulfil certain job positions within the EU Member States based on qualifications, nationality, and quotas.
Commenting on the figures of the research, the managing director of Skiworld, Sarah Searson, said that the employment of Britons has especially been difficult in Austria as they can only employ EU passport holders there.
“Post Brexit, getting the right paperwork for our UK staff to work in France has been challenging and time-consuming – but we’ve managed it. However, Austria’s quota on visas means we can only employ EU passport holders there – of which there is not a certain or ready supply. As a result, we have had to relinquish over two-thirds of our exclusive chalet beds there,” Searson stated.
Other travel bosses have also commented on the matter, saying that the loss of opportunities for nationals of the UK to undertake roles in the EU travel industry is deeply concerning for the future talent pipeline.