ABTA calls for relief in travel tax burden
ABTA is urging Chancellor Alistair Darling not to further hike taxes on aviation in today’s pre-Budget report.
The report is anticipated to include details on aviation tax.
But ABTA has written to the Chancellor calling on the government to lessen the financial burden on airlines and holidaymakers by not taking the “easy option†of hiking aviation tax.
Air Passenger Duty currently raises £2 billion a year yet details of a replacement Aviation Duty scheme have yet to emerge.
The travel business and holidaymakers are already struggling with the effects of the credit crunch and volatile fuel prices and any increase in taxation would severely damage the industry, ABTA warned.
Aviation has already addressed its environmental impact by joining the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme, which comes into force in 2012, as well as supporting carbon offsetting schemes.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “The government must resist the temptation to increase the tax burden on our members and customers.
“This will handicap the industry and jeopardise families’ chances of their much-needed break in the sun.
“Any attempt to dress up a blatant tax raising initiative as environmental will quickly be seen through by the public.â€
Recent attempts to introduce an aviation tax in Belgium were rejected following a consumer campaign; Sweden and Denmark have done the same, according to the association.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025