Industry leaders met with MPs this week to discuss the planned introduction of a UK visitor levy in England.
Representatives from The Business Travel Association (BTA), ITM, UK Hospitality and beam, which represents the business events, accommodation and meetings sector, went to Westminster to urge policymakers to explicitly exempt business travel and business events from any new levies.
The BTA, beam, GBTA and ITM have already submitted a joint response to the UK Government’s Overnight Visitor Levy consultation, highlighting that business travellers are not discretionary tourists and already make significant contributions to the UK economy through business rates, taxation and transport fares.
They also insist that where levies are applied, revenues should be invested in tourism-related infrastructure, transport and public realm improvements that benefit visitors and local communities.
They are also calling for clear guidance, sufficient lead-in times and robust reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency and avoid unintended economic consequences.
David Tremmil, Chair, beam, said: “Business events are catalysts for economic growth, innovation and skills development. They attract investment, drive sector collaboration and generate significant spend across local supply chains. They are not leisure tourism.
“A levy applied to work-related travel would represent a tax on productivity and growth. We urge Government to ensure business travel and business events are clearly and explicitly exempt.”
In a separate meeting at the House of Commons yesterday, representatives of beam met with Mike Wood MP – Member of Parliament for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, and Jack Rankin MP – Member of Parliament for Windsor, to discuss the damaging impact of a visitor levy alongside rising employment costs and business rates.
They also discussed drastic cuts in funding for VisitBritain which has significantly affected support for business events, with a dedicated team cut from nine people to just two.
Mike Wood MP told the beam members: “I hear the realities that you’re wrestling with: rising labour costs, operational headaches, punishing business rates, and trying to find and retain good staff, which right now is probably harder than getting a straight answer to Prime Minister’s Questions!”
“What strikes me most is this: you’re not asking for special treatment, you’re not asking for the earth, you’re simply asking to be recognised properly for the value you already deliver, and for the massive role this sector can play in driving future growth, and to have a framework that supports that work, supports that activity, rather than too often creating unnecessary barriers to your success.”
