UK tourism bodies beg government to help inbound visitor industry

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Leading tourism bodies in the UK have called on the government for urgent action to help the struggling inbound tourism industry. Signed by Airlines UK, Association of International Retail, Cities Restart, New West End Company, Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, Road Haulage Association Coaches, Tourism Alliance and UKinbound, the letter outlined that city restaurants, bars, hotels, shops, theatres, visitor attractions, inbound tour operators and intermediaries will struggle to remain viable if foreign visitors do not return this year. The letter demanded that Boris Johnson take three steps to help get the industry back on its feet: provide fluid, easy access to the UK for inbound visitors from green countries; introduce a cost-effective testing system, including the removal of VAT; and stump up funds for VisitBritain to start international marketing of the UK abroad. “As we progress from step two to step three in the reopening roadmap it is critical that cities are not left behind as the country moves forward with recovery,” said Joss Croft, CEO of UKinbound, adding that “we can’t rely on domestic tourism to make up for the shortfall and spend of international visitors, especially in our cities”.