UK ETA expansion sparks tourism concerns

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper recently announced that 2 April 2025 will be the start date of an expansion of the country's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme which will require all foreign nationals to pay a fee of 10 GBP to enter the UK.

Intent is to collect better data on who is entering the UK, for security purposes.

But those in the travel and tourism industry have expressed concerns about adverse effects on tourism, particularly to Northern Ireland, which tour operators frequently include in itineraries that feature the Republic of Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance estimates that visitors to NI from Europe and North America could decrease by up to 25% because tour operators may find the added cost and hassle of the ETA to be offputting.

And UK airlines are concerned the expanded ETA could be a barrier to UK visitation, especially for travelers whose itineraries involve only a short stay or layover in the UK.

Schengen Area citizens could choose to travel seamlessly within its borders, skipping the UK, and Americans could be wooed away by competing European destinations.

How will this play out next year? Watch this space for updates.