UK cities heavily reliant on international business visitors could face headwinds following the introduction of the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) charge, according to new analysis.
From April 8, overseas travellers entering the UK are required to pay a £20 fee under the updated system, a move industry figures warn could dampen inbound travel volumes across key business hubs.
UKinbound chief executive Joss Croft warned that higher entry costs risk undermining one of the UK’s most valuable export sectors, arguing that international business travel is highly sensitive to price increases.
Research by Booking.com for Business, based on Office for National Statistics data, highlights which UK cities are most exposed to any slowdown in inbound corporate travel.
London remains by far the country’s dominant business travel hub, attracting around 3.3 million inbound business visits—nearly 58 per cent of the national total. Its concentration of multinational headquarters, financial institutions and legal firms, alongside extensive international air links, makes it the central destination for meetings, conferences and deal-making.
Birmingham ranks second, with around 406,000 business visits, reflecting its role as a key centre for manufacturing, logistics and professional services. Its central location and strong rail and air connectivity continue to support its position as a major domestic and international meeting point.
Manchester follows in third place, receiving approximately 306,000 business visits. Its diversified economy—spanning technology, media, finance and advanced manufacturing—combined with direct international flight routes, has strengthened its appeal as a northern business gateway.
The findings suggest that while London would bear the largest absolute impact from any reduction in inbound business travel, regional hubs such as Birmingham and Manchester could also be exposed due to their reliance on international corporate visits.
Industry stakeholders argue that even relatively small additional costs can influence corporate travel decisions, particularly for firms making frequent or multi-city trips across Europe.
Supporters of the ETA system, however, argue it brings the UK in line with international entry requirements and provides a streamlined digital border process.
The debate now centres on whether the new fee represents a marginal administrative charge or a potential drag on one of the UK’s most globally connected service sectors.
Joshua Wood, Director of Business Travel at Booking.com for Business, said: “With more than 60% of inbound UK business travel coming from just seven countries, and the vast majority landing in the capital city, the data shows how predictable international business travel demand into the UK really is.
“For businesses, knowing which routes and cities carry the highest volumes of inbound trips is more than a nice‑to‑know statistic – it points SMEs to the corridors with the best connections, backup options, and on‑the‑ground facilities, and the ones where they can often secure better fares and rates.
“When you fold those insights into a simple travel policy and manage trips through a tool like Booking.com for Business, you can help your business travellers have easier, less stressful journeys while controlling your travel budget and benefitting from exclusive rates.”
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