BRITAIN should remain ‘open to Europe and the world’ after leaving the EU according to Evesham’s MP who hopes the Government will deliver a ‘positive future’ for UK tourism
Nigel Huddleston spoke out during a debate on the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on tourism and asked for a decision to be made on aiport expansion in the South East as a matter or urgency.
Mr Huddleston also asked for negotiations on aviation deals, access and landing slots as a matter of urgency and a review of Air Passenger Duty and the costs and processing of multiple entry visas.
During his speech, Mr Huddleston also asked VAT on tourism-related activities be reduced and consideration given to increasing the budgets of Visit England, Visit Britain and the Discover England fund.
The Mid Worcestershire MP also requested further efforts be made to attract overseas visitors after figures showed 50 per cent of money from tourists is spent in the captial.
Tourism is the UK’s fourth largest industry, contributes £127billion a year to the UK economy and supports more three million jobs, or about 10 per cent of the UK workforce.
Last year a record 36.1 million overseas visitors came to the UK and spent a record £22.1billion, according to the Vale MP.
During the debate, Mr Huddleston said: “Our decision to leave the EU was a shock to many of our European friends and it could potentially be misinterpreted as meaning we are less welcoming of foreigners.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. And we must continue to show that we are a welcoming country,” he said.
Evesham’s MP said any additional burdens or restrictions on travel to the UK from Europe would have an ‘immediate and negative impact on visitor numbers’.
“The UK tourism sector is also highly dependent on overseas workers, not least in London where 70 per cent of hospitality employees are EU migrants,” he said.
“These employees actively contribute to the UK economy and provide a high quality experience for visitors.
“The Government needs to seek to provide reassurances that these workers are welcome, are valued and that it is the Government’s intention that their right to stay in the UK will be unaffected by the referendum decision,” he added.
