I read the article on page 12 in Travel Weekly today and was wondering how many other people are a little worried about what the Conservatives may offer with their proposed T&T minister. Please read the article, it mentions that they would try and close the deficit between what is spent abroad by Brits and what is spent at home.
Now to my knowledge virtually all the major cruise lines are US owned, do they count a cruise sale on Azura as money going out of the UK? Well as most cruises go abroad, the answer is probably yes. Then think about other types of holidays such as package holidays; probably 95% of holidays talked about in Travel Weekly fall under the "money spent abroad" banner. Are these not the holidays our clients are spending their money on?
How are the Conservatives going to try and stop our clients from going out of the UK on holiday? Will it mean more departure taxes etc? I think that as they have made this statement one of the big boys needs to ask them questions. Just because they have said yes to a T&T minister, it may not be good for the travel agents who sell holidays abroad.
I have created many websites, including for cheap cruises, cruise deals and a new one attacking cruise holidays.
Hi Cruisegle,
I certainly hear what you're saying on the above but I don't think it's time for travel agents and tour operators to shut up shop quite yet for these three reasons:
(1) Yes, of course Tobias Ellwood is going to want more Brits staying in the UK to try and cut the tourism deficit but this need not harm the trade. Yes, we have seen a trend for people taking less than the traditional 14 or seven night overseas breaks but this is mainly due to social and economic changes (eg people feeling less secure in their jobs/rich in general/just wanting to spend less time overseas) than anything politically motivated. However, people do want to get away which is why we have seen corresponding growth in the short breaks market (particularly in the UK) so there are new business opportunities to be explored.
(2) While we all have opinions on politicians, I'm sure none are lunatic enough to try and stop Brits taking overseas hols. I don't think there is a single Brit who doesn't love their country but similarly I can't name a soul who would argue against the fact that 99% of the time you are guaranteed to get better weather overseas. This has been further reinforced by the fact that the last three summers in the UK have been nothing short of stinkers. Any politician who tried to prevent this would be better off quitting the contest now, saving themselves some cash in the process.
(3) Another effective way of cutting the tourism deficit is to encourage more foreigners to holiday in the UK. While circumstances are helping us at the moment (for instance the weakness of the pound versus the euro) moves by the government have not helped. The increase in APD (which hits them when they leave the country) and overpriced hotels and public transport all put off overseas tourists from visiting the UK. If the government in the shape of a tourism minister, start focusing on these issues then not only can we cut the deficit, but Brits would also benefit too.
In short at Travel Weekly, we're not blind to certain issues but we do remain sure that having one man politically appointed to oversee the industry can mostly help. That is why we launched the Yes Minister campaign. Not only could they start implementing many solutions to the above problems (and so making us richer as a nation) but they can also tell the PM and chancellor where to go next time they think the industry is a bit of a cash cow. We'll also be the first to reveal anything a tourism minister does that is against the interests of our trade.
Ed
PS Send me a phone number for a chat about your website!
I hope Travel Weekly, will give equal coverage to all the other political party's, Labour, Lib Dems, etc to put there views across. It would only be fair
You're a very cycnical man aren't you Nick?! But good to have someone keeping an eye on the press! Yes, of course we are offering all three parties an equal opportunity, which is why you will be able to read Lib Dem Don Foster's opinions this week and Margaret Hodge's in the following week's edition.
Nothing but the best for our readers, whether they be red, blue or yellow in their political leanings!
That's the one, but still need your phone number, Cruisegle!
Hi Ed,
Not at all. Would be interested to see what all three have to say. !! Personally I would like to give all three of them a grilling on this and APD and few other things effecting small business.
Looks like they do not want to help us at all!
New tourism minister admits to 'limited scope' for outbound
I agree cruise eagle, seems like the status quo from the last goverment. But as with everything..we need to lobby and make our voice heard
I agree Nickbroadland. I fully understand them wanting to try and keep money in and coming into the UK with tourism, however as so many people do take holidays abroad surely they should be able to see the need for someone to oversee it all?
I think most people would understand that the T&T Minister's first priority is inbound, but it doesn't seem to be reason enough to snub AITO.
Not sure if anyone read the Daily Mail on Saturday, I never normally buy newspapers however the lead story caught my eye; £300 Tax on your Family's Holiday.
Tuesday will be interesting!
Interesting read re UK tourism ministry to lose half it's staff!