We’re all going on a summer holiday: lessons from transforming travel statistics

In this blog, Statistics Regulator Adele Nethercott reflects on ONS’s transformation of travel and tourism statistics, highlighting the importance of transparency, user engagement and maintaining quality throughout periods of statistical change.

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I’m sure we’ve all been there: sitting on the beach, soaking up the rays, perhaps even enjoying an ice cream, if we’re treating ourselves. And as we’re relaxing, we think, ‘I wonder what the UK’s inflow and outflow of tourists is, or what the British tourist expenditure is abroad’?

Okay, we probably don’t all think that. But these statistics play an important role in understanding the economy, informing policy and supporting decisions across government and industry. And since July 2024, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been making substantial changes to how it collects and produces travel and tourism statistics. ONS has moved away from solely using the International Passenger Survey (IPS), towards a multi-source approach combining the newly designed IPS departure survey with other survey data such as the Great Britain Tourism Survey (and others detailed below). ONS is also exploring making use of more administrative data too.

Developing official statistics, particularly where changes to a long-standing survey like the IPS is concerned, is rarely straightforward. ONS’s work to transform its travel and tourism statistics demonstrates some of the opportunities and challenges that come with improving data sources and methods while trying to maintain user trust in the data.

Although this blog provides reflections on ONS’s travel and tourism statistics, the lessons explored here will have broader relevance for statistics producers across the UK. We will draw on the importance of being transparent about challenges, listening to users, and prioritising quality throughout periods of change.

Being transparent when making changes

In 2019, the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) published its assessment of ONS’s statistics on overseas travel and tourism. Our report identified concerns relating to the quality and precision of the estimates – reflecting issues raised by users and reinforcing the need for improvement.

ONS responded positively to our report, embarking on a substantial programme of methodological development and innovation. ONS has made some substantial changes to the way the data are collected and processed, including but not limited to:

  • Harmonising the IPS departures survey with new data sources (e.g. Civil Aviation Authority data)
  • Stopping the IPS arrivals survey
  • Collecting post-departure spending from GB residents through the Great British Tourism Survey

Moving away from long-established approaches such as the IPS creates opportunities to improve quality and sustainability but also introduces risks that must be carefully managed and communicated. This highlights the importance of being open and transparent with users throughout periods of change.

Why users matter

The Value pillar of the Code of Practice for Statistics emphasises that statistics should serve the needs of society. Achieving this requires not only publishing data, but also carrying out meaningful and ongoing engagement with users throughout periods of change – helping to maintain confidence and trust in the statistics.

User engagement has been central to the transformation. ONS built on our requirements about user understanding by establishing and maintaining steering groups and expert panels to help to shape priorities and develop new methods.

ONS uses its Travel and Tourism Steering Group as a 2-way forum to provide users with relevant updates, and seek feedback, on its progress exploring new data sources and methods. ONS has also established a user needs survey – using feedback to inform priorities, publication schedules, and future improvements. Here it’s evident how ONS is putting users at the heart of its developments.

ONS recently postponed the publication of 2025 Q3 and Q4, and the annual Travel Trends in July 2026 following a processing error and user feedback. ONS is using the opportunity to implement consistent methodology from Q3 2024 onwards, following user feedback from the Steering Group about the importance of data quality and comparability. This again exemplifies ONS taking action and making user-centred decisions.

Being open about such issues helps users understand what and why changes are necessary. It also highlights a broader theme of identifying, communicating, and addressing quality issues that arise.

Putting quality before publication schedules

It’s potentially of no surprise then that another significant lesson from the programme relates to quality.

Innovation brings opportunities, but it also requires producers to be prepared to pause and reassess when concerns arise. While users value regular and timely statistics, quality must remain at the centre of decision making – hence the recent postponement to ONS’s publications.

Although publication delays can be challenging for users, maintaining quality and being transparent about concerns are essential to sustaining trust. Good statistical practice depends on recognising issues early, communicating them openly, and taking appropriate action.

What happens next?

The journey is continuing. ONS is progressing in developing its methods, engaging with users, and building evidence on the strengths and limitations of the new approach. Comparability over time remains a user concern, and ONS has committed to communicating to users in the upcoming publications what comparisons can or cannot be made.

In September 2026, ONS plans to publish an article to update on ‘Improving our travel and tourism statistics’, alongside republishing Q3, Q4, and annual 2024 data to correct the previously mentioned processing error and revise estimates with comparable methods. In October, the quarterly and annual datasets for 2025 will also be published, alongside a Travel Trends article.

Final reflections

ONS’s work on the travel and tourism statistics highlights that statistical transformation is about more than developing new methods; it’s also about being transparent and putting user needs at the centre of the process.

And as regulators, it provides us with a positive example of how producers can approach change and challenges openly and responsibly. While the specific challenges faced by the travel and tourism programme are unique, the three key lessons identified in this blog apply across the statistical system.

If you have a spare moment between your holidays and ice cream consumption and would like to learn more about the transformation programme and ONS’s travel and tourism statistics, explore the publications on the ONS website.