Within this literature review, the impact of Brexit on the United Kingdom’s tourism industry is evaluated. Brexit is a source of much concern, uncertainty and anxiety for the tourism industry for both the United Kingdom and the European Union. The methodology used is content analyses of existing literature, government and industry surveys, as well as media articles concerned with the potential impact of Brexit on the tourism industry. This paper outlines some of the potential consequences Brexit could cause and results argue that the withdrawal from the membership of the European Union could bring up positive as well as negative implications for the United Kingdom’s tourism industry.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Current Situation
2. Statement of Problem
3. Specific Objectives
4. Research Question
5. Organization of Paper
Body
6. Brexit
6.1. Hard versus Soft Brexit
7. Tourism
7.1. Inbound, Outbound and Domestic Tourism
7.1.1. Inbound Tourism
7.1.2. Outbound Tourism
7.1.3. Domestic Tourism
8. Brexit’s Influence on Tourism
8.1. Inbound Tourism
8.1.1. British Pound Sterling
8.1.2. Travel Restrictions and Tourist Access
8.1.3. Aviation Market
8.1.4. Employment and Skills
8.2. Outbound Tourism
8.2.1. British Pound Sterling
8.2.2. Travel Restrictions and Tourist Access
8.2.3. Aviation Market
8.3. Domestic Tourism
8.3.1. British Pound Sterling
8.3.2. Travel Restrictions and Tourist Access
8.3.3. Aviation Market
Conclusion
9. Summary
10. Critical Reflection
11. Implications
12. Outlook
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this literature review is to evaluate the potential impact of Brexit on the tourism industry of the United Kingdom. By synthesizing existing academic studies, government surveys, and media reports, the paper seeks to address the research question regarding how the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union will affect both the domestic and international tourism sectors.
- The differentiation and interdependence of inbound, outbound, and domestic tourism.
- The economic implications of currency fluctuations, specifically the British Pound Sterling.
- Potential regulatory barriers including visa requirements and border control intensification.
- The risks posed to the aviation market and the loss of access to multilateral agreements.
- The impact on labor markets, employment, and the availability of specialized skills.
Excerpt from the Book
6.1. Hard versus Soft Brexit
The terms “Soft” and “Hard” Brexit are defined primarily in terms of the UK/EU post-Brexit political and economic relationship (Menon & Fowler, 2016, p. 8).
A “Soft” Brexit is associated to maintaining the majority of the legal relations between the UK and the EU, thus in terms of the single market, a “Soft” Brexit is commonly understood to mean continued membership. Currently, for non-EU member states this can be secured through a membership in the European Economic Area (EEA). However, to remain a member of the EEA the UK would have to accept all of the EU’s four freedoms, the single market law and be subject to the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice. This means if the UK and the EU come to an agreement like this, the UK would follow the model of associated states such as Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein (Menon & Fowler, 2016, p. 8; Perles-Ribes, Ramón-Rodríguez, & Ortuño Padilla, 2018, p. 2).
A “Hard” Brexit is commonly understood as a process that will lead to a definitive rupture between the UK and the EU Acquis Communautaire. This would mean that the UK would be considered as a third state, and as such, the UK would have no preferential relationship with the EU and its single market. The UK’s trade could thereby only rely on the World Trade Organizations (WTO) rules as well as on bilateral agreements currently in force, or the regulations of private international law of each of the member states (Menon & Fowler, 2016, p. 8; Perles-Ribes, Ramón-Rodríguez, & Ortuño Padilla, 2018, p. 2).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the context of the referendum and the subsequent economic uncertainty, establishing the importance of the tourism industry to the UK economy.
6. Brexit: Defines the phenomenon of the UK's withdrawal from the EU and delineates the political distinction between a "Hard" and "Soft" Brexit scenario.
7. Tourism: Establishes a foundational definition of tourism and provides the necessary classification into inbound, outbound, and domestic sectors.
8. Brexit’s Influence on Tourism: Analyzes the specific impacts of Brexit on each tourism form, focusing on currency value, travel restrictions, the aviation market, and labor supply.
9. Summary: Recaps the core findings, emphasizing that while the industry will be affected, the final outcome remains contingent on the nature of the negotiated departure.
10. Critical Reflection: Addresses the limitations of the research due to the complex and evolving nature of the Brexit negotiations.
11. Implications: Offers insights for future academic research and suggests practical approaches for the industry to navigate potential challenges and opportunities.
12. Outlook: Discusses the long-term importance of researching the effects of supranational exits and entries in a globalized world.
Keywords
Brexit, United Kingdom, Tourism Industry, Inbound Tourism, Outbound Tourism, Domestic Tourism, European Union, Hard Brexit, Soft Brexit, British Pound Sterling, Aviation Market, Travel Restrictions, Economic Impact, Employment, Labour Market
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this literature review?
The review examines the potential consequences and various impacts that the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) may have on the country's tourism industry.
Which specific areas of the tourism sector are analyzed?
The study breaks down the tourism sector into three traditional categories: inbound tourism, outbound tourism, and domestic tourism, evaluating the impact on each separately.
What is the main research question of the paper?
The paper seeks to answer: “How Will the United Kingdom's Tourism Industry be Affected by Brexit?”
What research methodology was employed?
The author conducted an extensive content analysis of existing academic literature, government reports, industry surveys, and relevant media articles.
What are the core themes covered in the main body?
The main sections address the definition of Brexit, the classification of tourism, and specific influences such as currency fluctuations, border policies, aviation agreements, and labor market challenges.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Brexit, tourism industry, economic impact, European Union, travel restrictions, aviation, and labor market.
How does a "Hard" Brexit differ from a "Soft" Brexit in terms of tourism?
A "Soft" Brexit implies continued cooperation and maintenance of current relations, whereas a "Hard" Brexit signifies a definitive rupture, leading to potential new visa requirements, stricter border controls, and the loss of access to current multilateral aviation agreements.
What role does the British Pound Sterling play in this context?
The depreciation of the Pound makes the UK more attractive for inbound tourists due to lower costs, while simultaneously making outbound travel more expensive for UK citizens, thereby affecting both sectors differently.
Why is the aviation market identified as a critical concern?
Brexit threatens the legal basis for current air travel operations, such as the Single European Sky agreement, which could lead to increased risks for travelers, higher airfares, and potential flight cancellations.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Stefan Pöll (Autor:in), 2019, The Impact of Brexit on the United Kingdom’s Tourism Industry, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/470096