Government urged to reduce visa processing times
UKinbound is renewing pressure on the Government to reduce visa processing times for overseas visitors after its quarterly survey revealed members expect visitor numbers to fall this year despite talk of an Olympic tourism legacy.
The trade association said its first Business Barometer showed that for the period from May to August only 5% of its members were seeing considerably higher visitor numbers than last year.
A further 23% said bookings were slightly better than last year, but almost half said they were worse.
"If ever there was a time for the Government to tackle the key issues affecting UKinbound tourism beyond the Olympics, it is now. The industry is very concerned and the government should be too," said Rance.
"If there is one thing that needs to be addressed immediately it is visa application processing times, which is impacting on potential visitor numbers to the UK. Why can’t the Government learn from President Obama’s initiative to significantly decrease processing times from countries such as China from a matter of months to just a few days?
"Like the USA, the UK Government must recognise that we are failing to attract tourists from China, Russia and India due to prolonged and drawn out visa processes. Despite wanting to come to the UK, they are travelling to France, Germany and Italy where tourist visas are easier to obtain. These countries are reaping the rewards whilst our Government sits back believing that the Olympic legacy alone will continue to grow visitor numbers. Unfortunately, they are misguided."
The UKinbound Business Barometer, undertaken in conjunction with Qa Research, surveyed members who represent accommodation, attractions and hotel operators.
Key findings compared with same periods last year showed that during the period January to April 2012 just over half the respondents (52%) said their inbound tourism bookings/visitor numbers were either ‘considerably’ higher or slightly higher year on year, whilst just over a quarter (26%) said they were either ‘considerably’ or ‘slightly’ lower, with around a fifth (22%) saying they were ‘about the same’.
However for the post-Olympics period form August 13 to September 9, the majority of tour operators agreed that bookings were significantly reduced
Respondents said the 2012 Olympics, which will lead to shortages of accommodation and high prices, were the biggest inhibitor to their business this summer, followed by the overall global economic climate.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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