Parliamentary candidates in head to head at BHA tourism hustings

Parliamentary candidates in St Ives, Cornwall, will are set to discuss key political issues in what is believed to be the only tourism hustings during the 2017 general election campaign.

Business rates, the impact of Brexit, the high rate of VAT on tourism and hospitality businesses and transport connectivity are expected to be the main subjects on the agenda at the debate tomorrow night, organised by the British Hospitality Association (BHA).

Darryl Reburn, general manager of the Headland hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, and a member of the BHA's south western committee, will chair the event. He will be joined by the Conservative candidate Derek Thomas, Andrew George (Liberal Democrat candidate) and Tim Dwelly (Labour leader, Cornwall Council).

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the BHA, said that key issues impacting the tourism and hospitality industries should be a priority for every parliamentary candidate. "The upcoming general election is an opportunity for local businesses to challenge their candidates on what they would do for the local and the wider hospitality and tourism industry," she said.

Reburn added: "Tourism is a vital lifeline of the Cornish way of life. Many businesses in the south-west depend on a thriving tourism economy and I for one am interested to hear and question the candidate's plans for the area."

The debate, which will open at 7pm for a 7:30 start, will be held at Tregenna Castle hotel in St Ives on 1 June.

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