The federal government has been accused of “sabotaging” the UK tourism business, because the evaluation discovered that the spending of worldwide guests was greater than £ 2.2 billion under the degrees previous to the pandemic final yr.
A report by the World Journey and Tourism Council, based mostly in London (WTTC), which represents the sector, discovered that the individuals who visited the UK spent £ 40.three billion in 2024, 5.three% lower than 2019.
Julia Simpson, president of the WTTC and was an advisor to Sir Tony Blair throughout her time as Prime Minister, attributed the decline to the measures described as “deliberate coverage choices” which have created “boundaries to journey.”
These embody the introduction of digital journey authorizations (digital permits) the shortage of tax -free purchases and the rise within the job of aerial passengers.
Mrs. Simpson informed the AP information company: “We’ve not returned to the place we should be (within the expense of worldwide guests), whereas the remainder of the world does.
“The UK is dropping a price participation in comparison with different European companions.
“This authorities has to do with development. They’re the best way to earn cash. They’re making an attempt to save lots of metal vegetation. They want to see what we are able to do with our water firms.
“Nonetheless, right here we’ve a personal sector firm (journeys and tourism, contributing 10% of the UK GDP, creating jobs, however we aren’t prioritizing it in any approach.
“We’re sabotizing.”
The report, produced in collaboration with the Oxford Economics marketing consultant, additionally discovered that journey and tourism contributed to £ 286 billion to the UK economic system in 2024, a rise of three.9% since 2019.
Jobs within the sector supported four.2 million livelihoods in the UK final yr, in keeping with the examine.
Mrs. Simpson criticized the choice to cut back the VisitBritain Tourism Authority finances by “greater than 40%.”
She stated the federal government is “very concerned about selling areas”, however “to take action you want a advertising and marketing wing.”
She continued: “It’s essential promote the UK. It’s essential promote Harry Potter. It’s essential promote to Jane Austen. It’s essential promote Richard III.
“It’s actually essential that he believes tales about the UK in order that worldwide guests come to all our areas.”
Mrs. Simpson stated that boosting tourism of the UK “have to be directed” by the prime minister as an alternative of the treasure.
She added: “All the pieces that the treasure goes to do is take an increasing number of taxes and undermine this essential sector.
“Sir Keir Starmer ought to take a sheet from the e book of (French president) Emmanuel Macron.
“I ought to take a sheet from the e book (Prime Minister) Pedro Sánchez in Spain, and actually collect this sector.”
A authorities spokesman stated: “The UK is without doubt one of the most visited nations on the planet and worldwide tourism takes hundreds of thousands and thousands to our economic system.
“We’re supporting the continual development of this business and we’ll launch a nationwide visiting economic system technique this fall to assist adjust to our ambition to welcome 50 million worldwide guests a yr to the UK by 2030.
“The Marketing campaign of Nice Britain and Eire of the North stays an efficient instrument to spice up financial development and we’ll proceed to work intently with the companions to optimize the marketing campaign sources to supply development all through the UK as a part of our trade plan.”
The Secretary of Tradition of the Shadow, Stuart Andrew, stated that work was “punishing the tourism business of Nice Britain with its labor tax, by decreasing the reduction duties of business charges and aerial mountaineering duties.”
He stated: “Now, to high it off, the federal government is standing whereas the Welsh work launches a dangerous tourism tax, reaching small lodging suppliers, threatening sights closures, placing extra jobs in peril and damaging native economies.
“The inheritance, hospitality and cultural attraction of Nice Britain are unmatched. Work have to be critical and ship an actual plan that promotes Britain to the world.”