UKinbound urges government to reduce APD and visa costs
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Ahead of the Government’s Autumn Statement on the 23rd November, UKinbound, which represents over 370 member organisations from the UK inbound tourism industry, has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, urging him to reassure Europe and the rest of the world that the UK is open for business.
It is urging the government to address three key issues:
Reduce Air Passenger Duty to increase visitor numbers and tourist spending in the UK. Since abolishing APD in 2015, Ireland have seen visitor numbers increase by 1.8m and received €150m in spending.
Reduce the cost of a two-year multi-entry visa for the Indian market to ensure the UK seizes the opportunity to develop new business with growing markets. Following a concession for the important Chinese market that reduced the cost of a two-year multi-entry visa from £395 to £85, UKinbound’s members saw a significant increase in the number of enquiries from China.
Continued investment in national tourist boards in particular VisitBritain’s GREAT campaign which provides an excellent return on investment and is critical in driving consumer demand, with each inbound visitor contributing £630 to the Exchequer.
UKinbound chief executive Deirdre Wells OBE said: “We have seen the tourism industry grow from strength to strength, with visitor numbers in 2015 reaching a record breaking 36 million. We have proved time and again that we are a resilient industry, and at a time of great uncertainty for the UK, our vibrant industry offers real potential for the future growth and world-wide reputation of our country. We ask the Chancellor to address these three initiatives in his Autumn Statement – these three changes will not only help to boost the perception of the UK as open for tourism, but will also help to build vital bridges with new trading partners post Brexit.”
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