Tourism bodies have reacted angrily to the Government’s Budget plans to raise aviation duty.
Tom Jenkins, executive director of the European Tour Operators Association, warned the increase in the ‘visitor tax’ will hit incoming tourism, particularly for long-haul visitors.
“The amount of tax and fees paid by European visitors to the UK is now 65% higher that the average level of tax and fees they would pay to visit the key competitor destinations of France, Spain, Italy, USA and Australia,” he said.
“For visitors from long-haul destinations the amount of tax and fees imposed on visitors in the UK is now over 90% higher than the average of the other destinations while, for visitors from the 109 countries that require a visa to enter the UK, the total cost of taxes and charges now stands at more than £200 per person.
“In the context of a declining share of world tourism, the last thing the UK needs is any more tax on travel.”
By Bev Fearis
