Seamless Journeys | 🌍 UK Outbound Travel to Hit £62bn — What That Means for Payments

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📣 Editor’s Pick

Travel Businesses Suffer With Scale When Counting The Cost of Payment Inefficiencies

New research among travel businesses shows substantial frustration around handling payments, with persistent pain, from significantly different causes, as organisations grow in scale.

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🌟Sector Spotlight

MONEY 20/20 EUROPE WRAP UP

Fintech Momentum from Money20/20 Europe

Money20/20 Europe spotlighted how embedded infrastructure is reshaping financial services this year. Finance leaders emphasized real-time systems and seamless platform integration as core drivers of growth.

🏦 Open Banking → Open Finance. The conversation moved beyond payments. But trust and affordability—especially for SMEs—are slowing adoption. Regulators called for shared standards and public–private collaboration to fill the gaps.

🪙 Stablecoins played a starring role. Seen as faster, cheaper alternatives to legacy rails—especially as the EU pushes for instant payments across the bloc.

🤖 Agentic AI in practice. Beyond theory, companies are deploying domain-specific models for underwriting, customer service, and fraud detection—grounded in live data and requiring full explainability.

📈 Embedded finance leads the agenda. Embedded finance stood out as the most referenced theme across tracks. Systems that embed lending and payments into workflow are gaining traction, especially in B2B channels.

💡 Why this matters for Modulr. Modulr’s Payments-as-a-Service platform enables exactly what the industry is asking for:

• Embedded payouts and account management

• Direct access to Faster Payments, SEPA, Bacs, Visa, and Mastercard

• API-first, regulated infrastructure that scales with platforms

As B2B and SME ecosystems demand more seamless payment flows, Modulr is positioned as the infrastructure partner that makes it possible.

TRAVEL ECONOMY ANALYSIS

Outbound Travel Industry To Contribute £62bn Annually To The UK By 2030

By 2030, the UK outbound travel industry is projected to boost the economy to £62 billion annually, up from the current £52 billion. This growth not only underscores the sector’s economic significance but also sheds light on how outbound travel bolsters inbound and domestic tourism. Regional airports like East Midlands and Manchester, heavily reliant on outbound passengers, might face operational challenges without adequate support, emphasising the need to sustain this segment.

Achieving this growth, however, hinges on the right governmental policies. ABTA highlights three areas: embracing sustainable travel, fostering competitive UK travel enterprises, and enhancing UK-EU relations. Progress in sustainable aviation fuel and airport expansion are positive, yet improvements in business rates and trade barrier removal remain crucial. The report highlights the need for swift action to enable the travel sector to thrive responsibly and support broader economic goals.

PAYMENT SYSTEMS TRENDS

Cruise Passengers Prefer Card Payments For Convenience And Value Over Cash

In today's cruise industry, cash is increasingly becoming a relic, as more passengers are opting for card and digital payments for their convenience and value. According to a report by Currensea, 49% of cruise-goers plan to reduce the cash they carry on future trips, citing the hassle of handling multiple currencies and high exchange fees on ships. Indeed, 28% find switching currencies downright confusing, and a significant portion returns home feeling they've squandered money converting leftover holiday cash.

Currensea co-founder James Lynn points out that passengers often rely on mobile signals to manage their finances, but poor connectivity can leave them no choice but to use costly ATMs, leading to frustrating fees. To tackle this, a travel card linked to one's current account offers an ingenious solution, eliminating extra banking costs and providing travellers instant, worry-free access to their funds. With cruising costs rising, these payment strategies are more crucial than ever to ensure value while setting sail.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - TRAVEL TRENDS

UK Travellers Secure Summer Holidays Faster Than Other Europeans, eDO Reports

UK travellers are showing a marked shift in their holiday planning habits, booking summer getaways earlier than any other European nation. Data from eDreams Odigeo highlights a striking 86% of UK holidaymakers committing more than 90 days ahead, compared to Italy's 61%. This trend indicates a rising confidence in travel despite economic challenges like inflation, underlined by flexible booking options and cancellation safeguards fostering proactive planning.

TRAVEL TECH ACQUISITIONS

Travel Tech Industry Sees Over 40 Acquisitions as Market Adjusts

The travel tech industry is buzzing with over 40 mergers and acquisitions in the last three months, driven by companies seizing opportunities in a market ripe for consolidation. Economic uncertainties have led to lower valuations, making it a prime time for firms with ample funding to invest. Established companies like Boeing and Sabre are offloading assets in billion-dollar transactions, while Amadeus, JetBlue, and Lyft strategically enhance their portfolios through acquisitions.