The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has urged the government to act early to support hospitality and tourism businesses to quickly generate a recovery from the effect of flooding and storms.
The organisation said it is “highly concerned” of potential long-term damage to the tourism sector if action isn’t put into place early.
It has asked the government to consider a tourism marketing budget for the worst-affected areas and that VAT, PAYE and corporate tax payment can be frozen while businesses get back on their feet.
Severe winds and rain has been causing havoc across transport in parts of the UK and destroyed several businesses and homes with more extreme weather expected in the next few weeks.
“The impact of these storms is potentially catastrophic for hospitality and tourism businesses in the affected areas. The ripple effect is also hitting other businesses as tourists are being put off visiting parts of the UK because of the severe weather,” said BHA’s CEO Ufi Ibrahim.
“We have to act now to plan for the future and we are keen to ensure that our industry has learned the lessons from the past and is helped by the government to quickly set a path to recovery,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group made of industry organisations has released a statement reminding people that London and the UK remains open for business despite the weather.
“As we approach the February half term, tourism businesses are working as usual to welcome families and give them a great holiday experience. Across Britain it is business as usual. Recent flooding has been largely localised and the vast majority of the country is still open for visitors. Scotland has been unaffected, Wales and Cornwall and Devon have had some coastal flooding which has now cleared. Major road networks are open and 90% of rail services to popular holiday areas such as the south west are running,” the group said.
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