Butlin's boss: tourism VAT cut can happen

Butlin's boss Dermot King has reiterated his call for a reduction in tourism VAT, which he believes will create more than 121,000 jobs and boost the economy by £4.6b .

Writing for The Caterer's sister publication Travel Weekly, King, managing director of Bourne Leisure and chairman of the Cut Tourism VAT Campaign, said that slashing VAT from its present rate of 20% would also improve the UK's tourism deficit "to tune of £23b over 10 years".

He pointed to the Conservative-DUP Confidence and Supply Agreement, which pledged to undertake detailed research into the impact of VAT on tourism in Northern Ireland.

The UK's rate of VAT current VAT rate on visitor accommodation and attractions is double the European average, which particularly disadvantages Northern Ireland's hospitality and tourism sector as tourism VAT in Ireland is levied at 9%.

Securing a lower VAT rate will make Britain's hospitality and tourism industry more internationally competitive, declared King.

“The benefits [of a VAT cut] would be felt far and wide in the UK, particularly helping neglected coastal communities to get back on their feet.”

The Campaign to Cut Tourism VAT has the backing of 126 MPs and 46,000 businesses nationwide.

Third parliamentary select committee calls for tourism VAT cut >>

Cut Tourism VAT to harness Brexit to boost MPs’ support >>

MD of Butlin’s appointed chairman of Cut Tourism VAT campaign >>

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