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UKinbound unveils manifesto as business confidence dips
UKinbound has launched manifesto as a survey of its members showed industry confidence has dipped to its lowest level this year.
Only 47% of businesses said they are confident about the upcoming 12 months, although this is higher that the 40% figure recorded from September/October 2018.
But despite a dip in confidence, member feedback in August and September showed 75% of respondents said their bookings, visitor numbers or customer orders were similar or higher than August and September 2018.
Similarly, 80% of businesses said yields were similar or up during to the same periods.
Brexit continues to be the dominant cause of lower confidence levels, with 21% of members experiencing a decline from either the German, French or Spanish markets.
I
n contrast, long-haul markets continue to perform well for many businesses, with 22% of respondents saying the US is the main growth market and 20% saying the Chinese market.
UKinbound CEO Joss Croft said: "Despite the ongoing political uncertainty, it’s positive to see that many tourism businesses across the UK are continuing to see bookings and revenues increase year-on-year, and that our long-haul markets are performing well."
Unveiling the organisation’s manifesto, Croft added: "There is no room for complacency. Our industry continues to be very worried about the impact of Brexit particularly with the end of Free Movement as parts of the industry rely heavily on EU nationals.
"Our key asks of the next Government include recognition that language skills are in short supply amongst British nationals and to re-think the proposed salary threshold of £30,000 for non-British nationals wishing to work in the UK tourism industry post Brexit."
The manifesto asks for visa free access for EU visitors and ongoing protection for EU workers, continued access to the Single Market, Customs Union and Open Skies agreement, extension of the December 2020 transition period deadline, and reducing taxation, as visitors to the UK are some of the most highly taxed in the world.
"With the right support, the UK’s inbound tourism industry has the capability to keep growing and innovating. Our manifesto sets out a clear pathway to achieve this but we need a Government that will listen and act to ensure the success story continues," added Croft.
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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