UK travellers visiting abroad dropped by a huge 14 percent in the year to the end of September, with total numbers reaching 60.8 million – a drop of 9.8 million.

Inbound travel numbers were also affected with a 9 percent decrease registered, meaning a drop of some 3 million to reach the total of 29.9 million overall.

The sharp decline was headed by inbound business travel to Britain in the past year which fell by 24 percent. Outbound business travel fell by 16 percent in the past 12 months compared to the previous year. The results were aided slightly by Holiday travel to the UK which increased by a slender one percent in the past year.

The summer peak season which runs from July to September saw outbound travel fall to 14.7 million trips, down by one percent on the back of a total spend of £7.6 billion.

Visits to the UK in the summer season fell by three percent to just 7.4 million against the previous quarter with spending down by £7.6 billion.

The figures are a clear indication that there is still a considerable hangover from the recession on the international travel and tourism market. UK travellers have also been affected by the weakening pound, notably in relation to the euro.

While UK holidaymakers still see their trips as sacrosanct, the recession has meant that stay-cationers have kept their spending money away from major industry operators such as airlines although niche markets such as tailored cruises and tours have managed to remain reasonably steady.