UK Passport applications fall as travel slows

The global slowdown in travel, brought on by the worst recession the world has seen in years, has had myriad effects on various sectors in the travel industry.

As more data and research becomes available, other effects of this slowdown are also becoming more evident. One unexpected sector affected by UK travellers making fewer trips abroad over the last couple of years has been the passport office.

A parliamentary report has revealed that the demand for passports in Britain has plummeted by over 10% in the last two years, as Britons opt to take their holidays at home and postpone passport renewals where they do not need them urgently.

The result has been that the Identity and Passport Service has found itself overstaffed, and has even loaned some of its workers to other, busier government offices.

In 2006/2007, the UK saw some 6.2 million passports being issued. The following year, in 2007/09, that figure dipped to 5.9 million, and 2008/2009 has recorded an even lower figure of 5.23 million– all considered as an indication that Britons generally have been travelling abroad less.

However, some observers have also pointed out that passport costs, which stand at £72, are actually often higher than flight costs nowadays, particularly when the budget airline fares are considered. They say that this high cost of applying for and renewing passports may be discouraging travellers from acquiring or renewing their passports until they actually need them.