Don't let Jubilee and Olympics distract from tourism targets, UKinbound warns
The trade body representing UK tourism businesses, UKinbound, has warned the Government not to get complacent over the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Olympics.
UKinbound's chief executive Mary Rance said the celebrations should not sidetrack the Government and travel industry's aim to attract 40 million visitors to the UK by 2020.
Rance said: "Complacency is not an option. We must not rest on our laurels and bask in the PR glow of last weekend. Our members are already concerned that bookings between May and August this year are slightly lower or considerably lower than last year. What is being done by the Government to attract visitors in 2013?
"We must not make the Jubilee and the London Olympics an excuse to halt dialogue or progress. The issues of visa processing, the punitive APD and VAT rates, London's overstretched underground network system and perceived lack of available, affordable accommodation have not mysteriously disappeared.
"I call on the Government and the industry to tackle the issues impeding inbound tourism with the same determination, enthusiasm and gusto that they have put into the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics."
By Neil Gerrard
E-mail your comments to Neil Gerrard here.
If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/tabletalk
Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs