BATA Comment on UK Government Tourism Policy

April 28th, 2011

Comment on Publication of UK Government Tourism Policy

Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), responding to today’s publication of the Government’s Tourism Policy, said:

“We very much welcome the fact that there is a Government tourism strategy, albeit one that largely ignores the three main obstacles to developing tourism to and from the UK which are the taxation of flights, the cost of visas for foreign visitors and a lack of airport capacity in the South East of England. According to ONS figures, outbound tourism contributes £15 billion to the UK economy and supports many thousands of jobs as well as enriching the life experience of millions of UK families. Regrettably, this important sector is effectively dismissed by the Government’s strategy.”