Kuwait Ranks Third In UK Gulf Tourist Spending

According to "VisitBritain," the UAE holds the 19th position in terms of the largest sources of tourism to Britain. However, despite having a relatively small population, it ranks tenth in importance thanks to its substantial visitor spending.

London's shopping appeal has diminished since January 2021, when the tax-free shopping system was eliminated. Critics argue that the benefits of scrapping the system have been overstated, and that the country will lose approximately two million visitors. The government anticipates that scrapping the system will boost revenues by around £2 billion.

According to Global Blue data, American visitors to the United Kingdom will spend 101 percent more in 2022 than in 2019. By contrast, British sales to visitors from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia constituted only 65 percent of their 2019 levels. According to National, Kuwaitis spent £305 million in the United Kingdom in 2022, ranking third among Gulf tourists after Emiratis and Saudis. Kuwaitis spent £575 million on tourism in Britain in 2017, the peak year for Kuwaiti spending.

Visitors from Gulf countries are expected to return to 2019 levels of spending in Britain by 2025, according to "VisitBritain.". The organization collaborates with the tourism market to enhance the number of Gulf visitors. Moreover, initiatives like the electronic travel licensing plan, which costs £10 and allows multiple visits to Britain over two years, are expected to attract more tourists. Starting February 1, 2024, citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan will also have access to this program.

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