Government under fire for visa increases
UKinbound has criticised the Government’s plan to increase visit visas to the UK saying it sends out the wrong message to tourists.
On Monday, the Government set out its proposed changes to the fees for visas, immigration and nationality applications and associated premium services for 2016-17.
It included a 2% increase for visit, study and work visas, to come into force after April 2016.
UKinbound, the trade association focusing on inbound tourism which represents over 350 members, said it believed the move would have a long-term detrimental effect on UK tourism.
Chief executive officer, Deirdre Wells OBE said: "Even though it is a small fee increase, we at UKinbound believe that this sends the wrong message to potential overseas visitors about how much the UK values their business.
"Last year, we were encouraged to see the Government improving the accessibility of the UK for tourists with the reduction in the cost of a two year visa for Chinese visitors to £85 – it would be unfortunate if that message of support was to be undermined by a fee increase in 2016.
"Whilst we at UKinbound fully recognise the need to balance the UK economy, we believe that the most effective way to do this is to do all we can to encourage more inbound visitors to the UK."
Diane
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