TOURISM MPs to fight for tourism VAT cut


The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has announced the establish- ment of a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to focus on improving the visitor economy by advo- cating measures including a reduction of VAT on tourism. Te group, which features


a number of high-profile MPs, will aim to enhance local economies through promoting measures and incentives that will increase visitor numbers and invest- ment in all parts of Britain and Northern Ireland, with a VAT cut top of the agenda. Tourism bosses have long been campaigning


What about domestic tourism?


KURT JANSON is policy director of the Tourism Alliance


T Margaret Ritchie MP will co-chair the new APPG on the Visitor Economy


for a reduction in VAT on accommodation and attractions, to place the UK in line with the rest of Europe and encourage additional spending. Te Nevin report, commissioned by the Cut Tourism VAT Campaign, found that a VAT reduction from 20 per cent to five per cent for tourism businesses would provide a £4bn (US$6.7bn, €5bn) boost to the UK economy, create 120,000 jobs and put the UK back on


a level footing with European tourism rivals. Te APPG on the Visitor Economy features MPs from a cross-section of political parties, including Plaid Cymru and the Green Party – the only two to pledge to cut tourism VAT on their 2015 General Election manifestos. Te BHA has been appointed as Secretariat


to the APPG and will work with MPs to devise the group’s programme during the summer, including a Hospitality and Tourism Lobby Day on 16 September 2015. Details: http://lei.sr?a=u2C4a_O


PM unveils five-point tourism plan


Prime Minister David Cameron has unveiled the latest strategy to entice UK visitors beyond London and boost regional tourism in a five-point plan. Policymakers and tourism represen-


tatives have long sought to address the fact London accounts for more than half of the UK’s inbound tourism visits. Cameron’s latest announce- ment comes as the Conservative government seeks to make good on its pledge to create a ‘northern pow- erhouse’ and rebalance the economy. As part of the strategy, a new


to ensure the


he Prime Minister’s new tourism strategy (see leſt) features very good points that, if properly implemented, will be of con-


siderable use to the UK tourism industry and help further the economic benefits and employment opportunities derived from increased tourism over the past five years. However, there is one very obvious and very odd aspect


to this new


plan. And that is that it talks almost exclusively about inbound tourism with little acknowledgement of the domestic tourism industry. For example, the Prime Minister’s introduction states: “Millions of overseas tourists visit the UK every year and most take in the sights of London. But Britain has so much more to offer, from the Cornish Riviera to the Scottish Highlands and every- thing in between… Tat’s why this one nation government is encouraging more visitors to discover more of our beau- tiful country and this five point plan sets out how we will make that happen.” Indeed, the stated objective of the


strategy is to encourage more visitors to travel beyond London and into the regions. All this is despite the domestic tourism industry being over three times the size of the inbound tourism industry and employ- ing almost four times as many people. Of even more concern is that the new


David Cameron wants tourists to enjoy the whole of the UK


inter-ministerial group will be formed to co-ordinate and align action across government


“Millions of overseas tourists visit the r ight


infrastructure is in place to make it easy for visitors to discover the best of Britain. The group, headed by culture secretary


John Whittingdale and including minis- ters from across government, will focus on key areas such as fostering greater cross- sector collaboration, reforming regulation to ensure competitiveness and boosting links with the transport sector to improve travel infrastructure outside of the capital.


© CYBERTREK 2015


UK every year and most take in the sights of London,” said Cameron. “But Britain has so much more to offer, from the Cornish Riviera to the Scottish Highlands and everything in between. Tourism supports almost one in 10 jobs in the UK and we want to rebalance the economy to make sure this boost is felt right across the country.” Te strategy was warmly received by tourism


bodies VisitEngland, VisitBritain and the BHA. Details: http://lei.sr?a=g6k5X_O


Twitter: @leisureopps


plan talks about VisitEngland’s role solely in terms of supporting product develop- ment and supporting tourism businesses through providing research insights and business support for the large numbers of SMEs that comprise the sector. In no part of the document does it mention VisitEngland undertaking marketing activities to boost domestic tourism numbers. And therein lies the problem we face


– a lack of understanding within govern- ment that domestic tourism development and promotion is far more important for businesses outside London than attempting to encourage overseas visitors to venture out beyond the capital. It may not be as sexy as inbound tourism,


but it is what drives the economies of seaside and rural destinations in the UK.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 11


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