Research and data · 31 August 2026 · 3 minute read
UKHospitality published a report in November 2023 detailing the economic contribution of the hospitality sector. The report shows how much the sector contributes to the UK economy, how many people it employs, and how its growth compares to the wider economy. If you host short-term lets in the UK, this data maps the commercial landscape your business sits within.
What the report found
In the six years prior to the report, hospitality increased its annual economic contribution by £20 billion to reach £93 billion. Employment in the sector rose to 3.5 million during the same period, making hospitality the third largest employer in the country.
Key numbers
- £93 billion total annual economic contribution of hospitality, per UKHospitality
- 3.5 million people employed in the sector, per UKHospitality
- £54 billion in tax receipts contributed to the Treasury in 2022, per UKHospitality
- 5.9% growth rate of the hospitality sector, almost double the UK economy rate, per UKHospitality
Hospitality contributed £54 billion in tax receipts to the Treasury last year, with the majority coming from VAT on sales. The sector generated £20 billion worth of exports in 2022 and attracted £7 billion worth of business investment last year.
UKHospitality ranks hospitality as a top five employer in every region of the UK, accounting for up to 12% of every regional workforce. Hospitality is growing at a rate of 5.9%, which is almost double the rate of the UK economy. Between 2009 and 2019, hospitality accounted for around 17% of overall UK employment growth, placing it fifth in total number of jobs created. Restaurants, pubs and clubs generate over 50% of the sector's total economic contribution.
Why it matters if you host
Short-term rental hosts operate inside this £93 billion sector, competing for the same traveller spending and contributing to the same regional employment figures. When inbound visitor numbers rise, the benefit spreads across restaurants, attractions and accommodation, including your listing. When the sector grows faster than the wider economy, it signals sustained demand for hospitality services, which includes short lets.
The tax contribution figure matters because it shapes how government views the sector. Hospitality's £54 billion in tax receipts gives the industry political weight when lobbying on regulation, planning and taxation. Short-term rental hosts benefit when the wider hospitality lobby argues for policies that support tourism and visitor accommodation.
What to do this week
- Check your listing's local area page on Airbnb to see which restaurants, pubs and attractions appear in the neighbourhood section. If popular venues are missing, message Airbnb support to suggest additions that reflect the strength of your local hospitality economy.
- Review your guidebook to ensure it links guests to local hospitality businesses. The sector's £93 billion contribution relies on visitors spending money locally, and hosts who help guests find restaurants and attractions improve the guest experience while supporting the local economy.
- Read the Office for National Statistics travel and tourism data to understand how official visitor statistics are measured, which helps you interpret future hospitality sector reports with more context.