UKinbound urges govt. to ‘act fast’ amid VisitBritain forecasts
The Chief Executive of UKinbound has told the government to ‘act fast’ after VisitBritain forecasts showed the economic value of international tourism next year will continue to be heavily down on pre-Covid levels.
Josh Croft said the projected spend of £9 billion in 2021 was a ‘stark reminder’ of how strong the industry used to be.
In yet another call for government support, Croft said a failure to act will continue to see jobs lost and drive companies to the wall.
The comments came after VisitBritain forecast a slow recovery next year as a Covid vaccine is rolled out.
"These statistics are a stark reminder that pre-Covid our industry was viable and profitable, worth £24 billion to the UK economy, but in 2021 its value will shrink by a predicted 68% to £9 billion," Croft said.
"Inbound businesses are perfectly placed to support our economic recovery but with thousands of jobs already lost and many businesses forced to permanently close, the Government needs to act fast to ensure viable businesses can survive until the market begins to return in Summer 2021.
"A targeted support package is urgently needed, and last month we submitted a proposal to Treasury for a Tourism Resilience Fund, however this support alone won’t be enough. The Government needs to put in place a best-in-class testing regime for passengers, and a regionalised approach to travel corridors."
He described the new test and release scheme as a ‘step in the right direction’ but said the continuing prospect of self-isolation – for any length of time – will significantly hit demand, risk businesses and cost people their jobs.
"Barriers to business need to be removed," Croft said.
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
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025