EMB JUNE 30: Industry heavyweights tell Government of importance of tourism

ABTA has united with the Airport Operators Association, the Tourism Alliance and UKinbound to draw to the Government’s attention the importance of tourism and aviation to the economy the day before Sir Howard Davies is due to deliver his findings on where to build additional runway capacity in the southeast of England.

The consortium will launch a report examining the value of the tourism and aviation at their annual Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons.

The group calls upon the Government ‘to recognise its vital role within the economy and to invest in policies that will help both sectors develop further’.

"A commitment to sustaining world-class air connectivity, reviewing and cutting Air Passenger Duty and improving the competitiveness of the UK’s visa system to make the UK more accessible are just some of the policies that will help to boost tourism and contribute to a growing economy in the years to come," says the report.

Mark Pritchard MP said: "There is a powerful case to be made as to the importance of aviation tourism as a wealth and job creator. I believe that this report is essential reading for my Westminster colleagues, and I am certain that it will help to shape their views on the policy challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s tourism industry – and hopefully, the Government’s future policy making process."

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer added: "The UK’s aviation and tourism industries are deeply interconnected; a healthy tourism industry relies on a healthy aviation industry and vice versa.

"In this report, we have identified key policies and strategies that will allow both industries to maximise their full and ever-growing potential, increasing visitor capacity and tourism’s GDP contribution, as well as generating more jobs."

Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said: "In order to prosper in today’s increasingly globalised economy, the UK requires excellent aviation connectivity right across the country. Passenger numbers at most UK airports are heading in the right direction, however, with the right kind of Government support we could be performing even better.

"The overall rate of APD must be reduced so that we are competing with our European rivals and a quick decision must be made on the Sir Howard Davies Airports Commission Final Report in the coming weeks."

Chariman of the Tourism Alliance, Ufi Ibrahim stated: "Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the Tourism Industry has generated almost a third of all additional jobs created in the UK since 2010. Importantly, these jobs have been created throughout the UK, supporting the recovery of regional economies. A strong aviation sector is therefore vital to maintaining and enhancing the key role that tourism plays in regional development."

UKinbound’s CEO Deirdre Wells added: "Tourism has been at the forefront of the UK’s economic recovery with inbound tourism related export earnings increasing by 26.5% to £24 billion between 2009 and 2014. To further increase the benefits generated by tourism, the Government must continue to invest in tourism promotion and work with the tourism and aviation industries to remove barriers to its competitiveness."

The Airports Commission, led by Sir Howard, is expected to recommend expansion at Heathrow, while not ruling out a second runway for Gatwick, when it delivers its final report on Wednesday.

However, the Government has indicated that it will be several months before it takes a final decision on where to put additional runway capacity.