Next Government must commit to travel and tourism

Tuesday, 16 Apr, 2010 0

The next Government must commit to informed policies that create the environment in which travel and tourism thrives.

The call from the World Travel & Tourism Council came as the UK’s political parties unveil their manifestos this week ahead of the May 6 general election.

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president and CEO of the organisation representing the world’s top 100 industry leaders, said the Conservative Party was the only one that mentioned travel and tourism in its manifesto.

Speaking in London, he said: “The travel and tourism economy supports three million jobs in the UK but if government policies do not change, employment growth will be slow – increasing by only 0.6% annually between now and 2020.”

This is just half the rate of growth projected for European Union member countries overall and less than one quarter of the forecast world growth rate.

Travel & Tourism does not necessarily need extra public funding, Baumgarten added.

“But it does need its government to ensure a level playing field to help it reach its full potential.

“At the time of a general election, WTTC would like to see informed policies, not vague promises from the parties.

“Industry players and their employees have the opportunity over the coming weeks to ask candidates about issues that can directly affect their livelihoods.”

The WTTC and its members have identified three priority issues that the next Government must address if visitor exports are to realise a potential 4.3% annual growth over the next decade:

· Visa pricing and processing

· Reducing or removing taxation

· Developing transport infrastructure

Baumgarten also drew comparisons to China, host next month of WTTC’s 10th Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Beijing, where the state council recently approved tourism guidelines that give the highest recognition yet to the industry as a strategic pillar supporting the national economy.

Currently seventh in the league table of countries with the highest visitor export earnings (such as inbound tourism spending), the UK could, with sufficient support, regain its position in the top five by 2020.

New figures released reveal a 4% increase in visits to the UK from overseas in the first two months of the year, worth £2 billion to the economy.

WTTC’s own research confirms that the economic potential of travel and tourism cannot be ignored.

Baumgarten added: “The UK must not waste the opportunity presented by hosting the Olympics in 2012 for travel and tourism to lead the country’s economic recovery.

“By recognising the potential of the industry to create jobs and support economies at all levels, the next government can maximise the return on the investment it is making. The UK’s visitor economy could have a bright future and make a significant contribution to the recovery promised by all parties, but it needs its government to establish policies that will enhance, rather than inhibit that growth.”

by Phil Davies

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Phil Davies

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