The travel industry has hit back at the new Tourism Minister after he warned them not to make a fuss about Air Passenger Duty.
Speaking at a VisitBritain event in London, Hugh Robertson MP told the trade its high profile campaign against the tax was hurting the UK’s image overseas.
"When the tourism industry criticises APD, it is a message that goes abroad," he said. "We must put our best face in our shop window."
But his comments have caused outcry from campaigners, who say it’s the tax itself that is doing the harm, see other story.
Simon Buck, CEO of The British Air Transport Association (BATA), a member of A Fair Tax on Flying, said: "The minister says that Britain ‘must put our best face in our shop window’ when it comes to selling the UK as a holiday destination overseas. We wholeheartedly agree.
"However, the best way to encourage tourism would be to reduce the internationally unprecedented levels of the UK’s APD – not take issue with campaigns that highlight the damage the tax is doing."
Mike Carrivick, former chief executive of airline industry association BAR UK, said the minister should heed his own words.
"It’s the extortionate levels of APD that make total air travel costs to the UK so uncompetitive which is the turn off for families and other visitors," he said.
"In the same way that visa issues abroad have had to be listened to, so must APD – that lies entirely with government so don’t blame the industry for sticking up for itself."
Others in the industry echoed their thoughts. Click here to see the original story and scroll down for comments.
by Bev Fearis
