The new plans to boost United Kingdom (UK) tourism formulated by Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, UK may not have the desired impact unless more fundamental reforms are implemented, said the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently.
“UK is beckoning tourists with one hand and pushing them away with the other.
It has the highest air tax in the world. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are effectively full, and there is no discernible long-term aviation policy that will provide routes to China on the scale being provided by other European countries. UK’s visa policy, which requires visitors from key growth markets to go through an expensive and cumbersome process, is also a clear deterrent,” said David Scowsill, President and CEO, WTTC. According to WTTC, the travel and tourism industry will contribute GBP 35.6 billion and almost 950,000 jobs to the British economy in 2012. Taking into account wider economic impact of the industry, travel and tourism will contribute over GBP 100 billion to UK and generate 2.3 million jobs.
Click here to see the original article>It has the highest air tax in the world. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are effectively full, and there is no discernible long-term aviation policy that will provide routes to China on the scale being provided by other European countries. UK’s visa policy, which requires visitors from key growth markets to go through an expensive and cumbersome process, is also a clear deterrent,” said David Scowsill, President and CEO, WTTC. According to WTTC, the travel and tourism industry will contribute GBP 35.6 billion and almost 950,000 jobs to the British economy in 2012. Taking into account wider economic impact of the industry, travel and tourism will contribute over GBP 100 billion to UK and generate 2.3 million jobs.