WIREDGOV

Holidaymakers are being asked by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to spare a few minutes as they travel through UK airports, international rail stations and on ferries this summer. 

ONS staff will be asking travellers coming and going from the UK to take part in the International Passenger Survey (IPS).  They will be asked about their travel plans such as their destination, length of stay and reason for travelling.

"Our job is to collect the information that builds up a big picture of how society is changing, it's been carried out ever since 1961 - there's nothing else like it." explains Fiona Dawe, head of the IPS team. "It only takes a few minutes at most and we don't collect personal information such as names or addresses, this isn’t market research."

Among recent findings: 

• 2014 saw 34.4 million visits to the UK by overseas residents, the highest number on record.

• Overseas visitors spent £21.8 billion during their time in the UK in 2014, while UK residents going abroad spent £35.5 billion.

• Spain has been the most popular destination for British trips abroad since 2002. Prior to that France was the most visited country by UK residents.

• Visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have seen one of the biggest increases in visits by UK residents since the turn of the turn of the century. In 2000, 171,000 people from the UK visited the UAE, by 2014 that number had more than trebled to 727,000.

• While the proportion of people travelling abroad has stayed at similar levels over the last twenty years, those travelling to visit friends or family has doubled and now accounts for 1 in 5 trips.

• Tourism was estimated to be worth almost £60 billion to the UK economy in 2014.

Glen Watson, ONS Director General for Population and Public Policy, said: "We're very grateful to people for taking the time to talk to our staff. The information we collect in this survey is essential for helping central and local government, businesses and charities to plan vital services such as health and education. It also allows us to estimate the impact of travel expenditure on the UK economy."

Notes to Editors

The International Passenger Survey (IPS) has been carried out continually since 1961.  Approximately 800,000 people are surveyed every year.

For more information, and to arrange an interview or filming, contact Adam Wheeler in the Media Relations Office on 01633 456306 or adam.wheeler@ons.gsi.gov.uk

Picture Caption: Keith Woodmason is the IPS interviewer at Bristol Airport. Keith and his colleagues can be found at airports across the country. A higher resolution image is available. 

Background notes

1. Details of the policy governing the release of new data are available by visiting www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html or from the Media Relations Office email: media.relations@ons.gsi.gov.uk