UK tourism our bodies beg authorities to assist inbound customer business

Leading tourism organizations in the UK have urged the government to take urgent action to help struggling travelers tourism Industry.

A letter to the Prime Minister highlighted the need for measures to ensure the safe return of international travelers as quickly as possible – especially to cities.

The letter signed by Airlines UK, the Association of International Retail, the Reboot of the Cities, the New West End Company, the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, the Road Haulage Association buses, the Tourism Alliance and UKinbound stated that restaurants, Bars, hotels, shops, theaters and visitor attractions based in the city are inbound tour operators and intermediaries will struggle to stay viable if foreign visitors don’t return this year.

International visitors are the financial linchpin of the UK tourism industry, spending an average of £ 696 on a trip, compared to just £ 239 the average domestic traveler spends.

VisitBritain has forecast that UK domestic vacation spending will decrease 33 percent in 2021 compared to 2019.

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The letter urged Boris Johnson to take three steps to get the industry back on its feet: provide smooth and easy access to the UK for inbound visitors from green countries; Introduction of a cost-effective inspection system, including the elimination of VAT; and raise money for VisitBritain to start marketing the UK internationally abroad.

“As we move from step two to step three on the reopening roadmap, it is important that cities are not left behind as the country recovers,” said Joss Croft, CEO of UKinbound, adding, “We can do not rely on domestic. ” Tourism to make up for the shortage and spending of international visitors, especially in our cities. “

“If we push a new global UK after Brexit, the success of cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be of vital importance.

“We face the prospect of boarding shops and restaurants, and the beating hearts and souls of our cities will vanish unless international visitors and their vital livelihoods return.”