Call for UK tourist visa costs to be cut
UKinbound has supported calls from a committee of MPs which has called for a cut in the cost of visas for tourists travelling to Britain.
Overseas visitors are charged on average £207 per person in visas, taxes and other government charges, much higher than other European countries.
This is “hugely damaging†to the UK’s ability to compete as a destination, UKinbound claims.
The Culture Media and Sport Select Committee’s investigation into tourism (See previous TravelMole story) described the high cost of obtaining a visas to visit the UK as “one constraint on inbound tourismâ€.
“We are deeply concerned that the consequences for tourism appear not to have been considered by the Home Office when the new visa charges were drawn up,†the report said.
The committee went on to urge reforms to address what is described as a “disincentive†to inbound travel.
The report sais it supported measures to introduce a cheaper, short term single entry visa and a “Schengen add-on visa†which would make visits to the UK for those already holding a Schengen visa a more affordable proposition.
“However, these modifications are unlikely to be possible under UKvisas’ revenue-neutral model,†the committee’s report said.
“The system is putting off potential visitors who are likely to boost the UK economy to a far greater degree than the value of the visa.â€
UKinbound chief executive Stephen Dowd said: “Given the overwhelming evidence provided, the committee could only have reached the conclusions it came to and we warmly welcome the recommendations made, particularly in relation to a reduction in visa costs.
“The budget cuts to VisitBritain were indeed baffling and leave the national tourist board unable to fulfil some of its core functions, let alone deliver on the Government’s own strategy to realise the full potential tourism benefits of the 2012 Games.â€
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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