Industry reacts to news of APD change
The travel industry has voiced a mixed reaction to news that the UK Government is to make changes to Air Passenger Duty.
Jamaica’s Minister for Tourism, Ed Bartlett, told delegates at Caribbean Marketplace that a Government source had confirmed that an announcement would be made in March (see earlier story).
It is believed the tax will be changed so that duty on short haul will be increased and long haul decreased, bringing the Treasury the same amount of revenue.
But Cheapflights chairman Hugo Burge said although the Caribbean would benefit, it would still be damaging to UK travellers overall.
"The CTO now commendably appears to have succeeded with its lobbying in reducing APD for its region. However, the overall burden of this regressive and heavy tax on passengers will regrettably appear to remain the same following the reported reorganisation of APD."
He said Cheapflight.co.uk’s annual searches for Jamaica and Barbados have seen 13% and 23% falls respectively since November 2010.
Skyscanner CEO Gareth Williams said the decision to undertake a consultation would be well received, but added: "If the government proposal of taxing all flights from UK and EU airports goes ahead, consumers may have to pay up to five times more for their flights in addition to APD.
"Those in the South East will be worst affected, as the government has also proposed a higher air tax for passengers flying from London airports."
*What do you think of the reports that the structure of APD will be changed to benefit Caribbean tourism? Is it enough? Will it make a difference to your business?
Send us your views by clicking on ADD A COMMENT below.
by Bev Fearis
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements