The British Hospitality Association today shares its concern over proposed funding cuts to UK tourism.
Ufi Ibrahim, CEO of the British Hospitality Association said: ?VisitBritain?s budget has been cut by 56.5 per cent? in real terms over the past decade, even though ?1 spent on tourism marketing produces an extra ?18 in additional spend by visitors, much of which gets back to the Treasury as extra tax receipts. Hospitality and tourism is one of the UK?s most successful growth sectors and we have achieved growth despite, rather than because of the Government, which is now cutting VisitBritain?s funding by a likely further 12 per cent.
?The Government seems to lack the understanding that, as an established and successful industry, we can be a massive driver of quality jobs growth throughout the UK with proper support. Cutting the tourism budget yet again shows that it?s just an easy target rather than one which is fair or properly thought through. We are writing to the Prime Minister to express the industry?s dismay at this development.?
The BHA?s response comes just a week after its annual Summit at which members called on the Government to take more seriously the growth opportunities which can be provided by hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
Key facts & figures
- The UK tourism industry is a major sector of the economy.? It contributes ?134bn in direct and indirect spend representing 9% of GDP
- Hospitality employs 2.68m people and is a key driver of national as well as all local UK economies ? creating over a quarter of all new jobs between 2010 and 2012
- The hospitality and tourism industry employs 10% of the national workforce
- On Tuesday 11th June the BHA announced that the UK?s hospitality industry will create over 30,000 new job opportunities for young people by 2015