Tobias warns Chancellor over APD

Tourism Alliance deputy chairman Richard Tobias has called on Gordon Brown not to raise Air Passenger Duty when he makes his pre-budget statement later this month. Mr Tobias told the first ever tourism session at the CBI Annual Conference in Birmingham that any increase in APD could seriously hinder Britain’s tourism recovery. He warned: “Tourism to and from Britain is only just beginning to show signs of recovery after the devastating events that have affected our industry during the past few years. Any increase in cost has a serious impact on our recovery and prospects and must be strongly resisted.” Mr Tobias claimed that the decision by the Majorcan authorities to abandon their controversial eco-tax showed the detrimental effect taxes could have on the tourism industry. The Guild of Business Travel Agents is among other tourism organisations that is opposed to any increase in APD. The GBTA argues that any increase would hit frequent travellers – and therefore business travellers – hardest, making it more expensive for UK companies to do business overseas.