NEWS TRAVEL WEEKLY BUSINESS CONTINUED FROM THE BACK
a member, said: “It’s a massive issue. The Tourism Alliance is not taking a view but will be making available the pros and cons of staying and leaving. Personally, I think [leaving] would be an absolute tragedy economically, socially and culturally. I can’t think of an upside.” Wells said: “Visitors from our
European neighbours bring much-needed revenue to the UK, creating valuable jobs for the UK economy. Saying ‘yes’ to the EU sends a clear message that we’re open for business. Collaboration, not distancing ourselves, is a priority.” Asked about the consequences
of a British exit (Brexit), Wells said: “Of course, we could work around it, but why would you want to do that?” She identified a series of
issues if Britain were to leave: “Whether there would be new and enhanced restrictions [on borders], whether day-to-day business would become more complicated, whether it would reduce the number of visitors who want to come here. “I worry about how the
UK is viewed. An awful lot of tourism is business-related and there would be an inevitable reduction in that.” Wells added: “We can’t
take for granted the existing arrangements would continue.” At the same time, she pointed
out: “Countries not in the EU but wanting to trade with the EU are still subject to [EU] regulations.” UKinbound chairman Mark
McVay told the association’s conference in Aviemore: “Our member survey highlights overwhelming support for Britain to remain in the EU. It’s important we not isolate ourselves from the market which brought two-thirds of our visitors in 2015. Let the inbound industry be the first to say ‘yes’ to staying in Europe.”
UKINBOUND CONVENTION 2016: Sector urges government to lift
Inbound leaders urge PM to ‘sort out’ APD and visas
Ian Taylor
ian.taylor@travelweekly.co.uk
UK tourism leaders accused the government of failing to meet industry demands in key areas and called on David Cameron “to sort it out”.
Tourism Alliance chairman
Bernard Donoghue said high rates of APD on flights and VAT on accommodation sent a message to visitors that “we’ll fleece you”. In an address to the UKinbound
conference but directed at ministers, Donoghue said: “Invest in transport infrastructure. In the time it has taken to decide on one new runway, China has built 11 airports. “Sort out visas. It’s
embarrassing that we get six to seven times fewer Chinese visitors than France when the Chinese say the European country they most would like to visit is Britain. “VAT – sort it out. We’re one of
three countries in Europe with the highest rate of VAT.”
‘Immigration is still one of the key challenges’
Immigration remains “a key challenge” for the industry, according to inbound sector leaders who fear a rise in anti-migrant rhetoric will put off overseas visitors. UKinbound chairman Mark
McVay reminded the association’s annual conference in Scotland of his plea a year ago when he said: “Please let there be someone who will speak up for immigration. “Let’s get away from this Little
62
travelweekly.co.uk 18 February 2016 DONOGHUE (left): ‘The UK is basically telling tourists “We’ll fleece you”’ £2
Proposed hike in visa charge for overseas visitors from April
Donoghue argued: “Britain is
not regarded as a value-for-money destination. We have VAT, we have APD. We’re basically saying ‘Come here and we’ll fleece you’.” UKinbound chairman Mark
Britain mentality. I wish one of the political parties would stand up against anti-immigration rhetoric.” McVay said: “Not much has changed. Immigration remains one of the key challenges.” Bernard Donoghue, chairman of
the Tourism Alliance, agreed. He called on politicians to “stop
the inflammatory rhetoric about immigration”. “It sends out the message that
we’re not welcoming and we want closed doors,” he said. “I think we will see more and
more inflammatory rhetoric in the run-up to a referendum [on Britain’s membership of the EU]. UKinbound chief executive
MCVAY: ‘Let’s get away from this Little Britain mentality’
Deirdre Wells told Travel Weekly: “There is a danger that xenophobia comes to the fore and it can have an impact.”
McVay agreed, saying: “Our key priority is to keep the pressure on over air capacity. We will not be ‘great’ if the government continues to put infrastructure decisions in the too-difficult box.” The Home Office proposes a £2
rise in visa charges for overseas visitors from April. McVay said: “We’ve seen some
encouraging improvements to the visa regime in the past year, and we’re calling for the government not to shoot itself in the foot by increasing visa fees.”
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