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British government 'fails to take tourism seriously'
Britain could slide out of the top 10 global tourist destinations within five years, warns the British Incoming Tour Operators' Association (BITOA).
Chief executive, Stephen Dowd, is sounding the alarm after the publication of the Public Accounts Committee's report on the government's handling of Foot & Mouth disease, the drop in tourism following the 11 September attacks and now the war in Iraq.
Dowd says the government has failed to support tourism as a major industry: 'Unlike the tour operators, hoteliers and tourist attractions who were mostly expected to fend for themselves, the farmers were handsomely compensated. We didn't see them having to pay for every other sheep.'
VisitBritain is launching a summer media campaign to encourage Americans to travel to the UK but the government is not expected to increase funding for international marketing to brace the effects of the war.
'The government takes much more revenue out of tourism than it puts in. For every £1 put in on new investment it gets £1.40 back,' says Dowd. 'Last year it recouped over £800m in taxes on air passenger travel alone.'
The British tourist industry is highlighted by BITOA as beleaguered by business rates and national insurance contributions and coping with the second highest VAT rate in Europe.
'America is for the first time creating a Department of Tourism and Mexico is abolishing VAT on all tourist activities.' says Dowd. 'These governments recognise tourism is vital to their country.'
BITOA recommends a cut in taxation on hotel rooms and on tourist-related sales and begs more government support.
Britain ranks sixth in the World Tourism Organisation league table for tourist destinations. Details: www.bitoa.co.uk