UKinbound presents travel industry wish list to government ahead of debate
Ahead of today’s general debate in the Commons on ‘Support for the Aviation, Travel and Tourism Industries’, trade association UKinbound has written to more than 90 MPs outlining the significant challenges, opportunities and key questions the inbound tourism industry needs answers to.
UKinbound presented five asks of the government in its correspondence to MPs.
UKinbound wants the removal of employers’ contribution to furlough from July and extend full furlough for a minimum of six-months beyond September 2021.
Additionally the government should create a sector-specific recovery fund that allocates grants to tour operators and DMCs that are reliant on international travel.
UKinbound is also calling for the an extension of full business rates relief, without tapering, for a minimum of six-months and to expand the number of countries on the green list.
It should also eliminate testing requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals from these countries, and remove VAT on testing.
Finally, delay the removal of ID cards, on 1 October, as a UK entry document for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, to aid the recovery of the inbound sector.
Joss Croft, CEO, UKinbound said: "Worth £28.4 billion annually, the inbound tourism industry is perfectly placed to significantly aid the UK’s economic recovery, but the government is deviating from its risk-based approach to reopening international travel, putting our recovery in serious jeopardy."
"The UK’s reputation for being an open and welcoming country is being damaged."
Last week UKinbound asked its members to write to their local MP regarding the debate and put forward their concerns.
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