UKinbound is backing a new UK campaign to ‘scrap the tourist tax.’In an effort to pressure the government the Daily Mail has started a ‘scrap the tourist tax’ campaign to restore duty-free shopping status for overseas visitors. They argue the 20% VAT through tourists shopping is greatly outweighed by the boost to GDP and jobs that eliminating the tax would bring. A letter to the government was organised by Sir Rocco Forte and has been signed by UK tourism, retail and hospitality leaders. Joss Croft OBE, CEO of UKinbound said: “We fully support the campaign by the Daily Mail to reinstate VAT free shopping for international visitors.”“It would generate and estimated £4.4 billion over two years for the UK economy with a net benefit to the Treasury of £1.3 billion (source: Oxford Economics).”“This is a measure that is badly needed to help the recovery of the UK’s inbound visitor economy.”“It will go some way to improving this country’s competitive positioning against our European neighbours.”

Source: Daily Mail April 26, 2023 10:45 UTC