A select committee report has found tourism is not given ‘sufficient recognition’ by the Government.
Despite the tourism sector contributing billions of pounds to the British economy and sustaining millions of jobs, the Culture, Media and Sport committee report said the Government often fails to factor tourism into its wider decision-making.
It added that reductions in VAT and APD would offer tourists better value.
The report also found:
- tourism in England was damaged by the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies but says that the GREAT campaign has been effective and continued funding needs to be confirmed
- regional airports should be better promoted to encourage visitors to the UK in general and the regions in particular
- too many regulations are ill-fitted to small businesses which characterise much of the tourism industry
John Whittingdale MP, chair of the Committee, said: “The tourism sector is a major part of the UK’s economy and creates millions of jobs, involving a lot of small businesses and unique features such as seasonality and uncertainty in customer demand.
“Given the size of its contribution, there is not enough recognition of or support for the sector or adaptations to its unique features.
“Tourism needs a stronger voice, and Government should look at how the burden of regulation and taxation on the tourism industry could be lightened to boost its contribution even further.”
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “We welcome many of the Committee’s considered recommendations, which reflect points made in ABTA’s written submission and appearance before the Committee.
“The Committee makes some important recommendations on Air Passenger Duty, visa rules, and business rates.
“ABTA is particularly pleased to see the Committee’s recognition of the importance of the UK’s vibrant mix of inbound, outbound and domestic tourism businesses; ABTA has worked hard over the life of this Parliament to raise the profile of outbound tourism as an economic driver, and it is positive to see this influential Committee recognise the value of outbound tourism, alongside inbound and domestic.”
