Following the announcement of the UK Government’s emergency budget, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) responds:
“This is a difficult budget in a tough economic climate in which there are no easy options and many nations are being forced to tighten their belts.
“However, at £140 billion the share of the UK’s Travel & Tourism economy GDP is higher than that of its £114 billion financial & business services sector (respectively 10.1% compared to 9.2%). Yet Travel & Tourism has received very little direct support compared to the £850 billion given to the financial sector.
“Investment in Travel & Tourism has the very real potential to grow national and local economies and create employment opportunities. That investment need not come from the public purse, but could begin with a serious discussion between the public and private sector industry around the potential barriers to growth such as Air Passenger Duty or visa policies.”
