Russell Imrie 🇪🇺

NED | Hotelier. Passionate about hotels, hospitality, tourism & travel. Advocate of Edinburgh & Scotland tourism.

[UKHospitality @UKHofficial]

A holiday tax would make the UK one of the most expensive places to take a break in Europe.

Our member @RussellImrie of @BestWesternGB explains on @BBCBreakfast why a holiday tax, combined with our 20% rate of VAT, is a bad idea for holidaymakers, businesses and the economy.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Warth in Austria. VAT on accommodation was 10% and Visitor Tax was €3.00 pppn. VAT on accommodation in UK is 20% and City of Edinburgh is charging 5%+VAT (so 6%) Visitor Tax from July 26. Edinburgh at risk of being an uncompetitive destination. #Edinburgh #Tourism

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

The way forward for the UK is an Economic Union and a Defence Union with Europe. The old order is over and a United Europe is the way forward for the economic and defence security of the UK, and all Europe. Anyone who does not see this is ignoring events. #EuropeanUnion

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

@WilliamJHague Excellent commentary and analysis on @TimesRadio of UK and Europe’s defence challenges. It’s time for Europe to step up and commit to being a common force for funding, innovation, supply and security.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Reduced employment, lower wage increases (if any), factories not at capacity and fragility and failures in the hospitality sector. The result of the increase in Employers NI contributions.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Continued: hotels are very low staffed but still give great service from reception; evening restaurant service is rare in mid-market hotels; hotel bars rare; shower quality & pressure is 5*; very deep baths (!), housekeeping & maintenance is 5*.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Observations on Japan hotels: bedroom amenities inc toothbrush & paste, brush, razor & shave gel; toiletries are loose bulk & very high quality; pyjamas provided (!); room servicing every 3rd day; breakfast 100% self serve inc self-clear; Japan guests go to breakfast in pyjamas!

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Observations in Japan: spotlessly clean, continuous cleaning, polite, no graffiti, no litter, free clean WCs everywhere, everybody obeys the rules (e.g. waiting at crossings), no tipping, helpful staff (trains, hotels, shops, restaurants), no potholes. UK?

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Japan is a welcoming country for tourists. Three factors which make the visitor welcomed? It is surprisingly affordable. There is no tipping. Tourist taxes are generally not charged, and where they are, it is around £2.50 per room. European destinations have tough competition.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Taxing tourism: why the challenges can outweigh the benefits.
Edinburgh and other Scotland local authorities should take note.

https://t.co/hlWzBI6QWM

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

@CareyTourism @Keir_Starmer @UKLabour @AnnelieseDodds Balance is needed. We must increase defence spending, but there is not a magic money tree. Defence spending should take priority over “some” ODA. We can still support some countries, but pull back from countries with a nuclear deterrent and a space programme e.g. India.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Energy price cap up again. Govt claims that UK needs to move to a non-carbon energy strategy to avoid the reliance & volatility of global oil & gas prices. Solar, wind & nuclear generates electricity. Over 90% of UK homes & businesses are heated by gas for many years to come.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

A reduction in jobs was an inevitable result of the Employers National Insurance rise. Why could government not anticipate that this would be the outcome of increasing tax on employing people?

[The Caterer @Caterertweets]

70% of hospitality operators to cut jobs due to tax rises

➡️ https://t.co/1RhFfrOONk
https://t.co/1RhFfrOONk

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Companies planning redundancies, not recruiting & cancelling investment, business failures up, many SMEs in a fragile state. As a result, consumer confidence is at record low. This is the result of budget decision of increased Employers’ NI & above inflation increase in min wage.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

👇👇We did not have long to wait. Today the Bank of England has confirmed that the recent budget has resulted in businesses stopping employment and raising prices which has created higher inflation, reduced growth and stalled the economy.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

👇👇Government has made its choices, and the result will be higher prices, higher inflation, lower employment, lower growth and lower corporation tax receipts. Inevitably some will say this will not happen. Just wait.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

@MCrothall I know of hotels who are creating pricing strategies to obtain room price increases of 15-20% in 2025 and food and beverage price increases of 10-15%. These increases are needed to remain viable but at what level do customers stop buying or Scotland is perceived as expensive?

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

@ali_payne X can be the worse place to voice opinions which are controversial to vested interests. I’ve taken a position on a subject which goes against localism decisions and is marketed as not affecting locals, then the pile on starts. Keep voicing your views.

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

👇👇Government has made its choices, and the result will be higher prices, higher inflation, lower employment, lower growth and lower corporation tax receipts. Inevitably some will say this will not happen. Just wait.

[Kate Nicholls OBE @UKHospKate]

Business confidence crashes to lowest level since pandemic after Reeves tax raid https://t.co/ImCntvDDOR

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

Did the government honestly believe that increasing Employers NI would have no impact on businesses recruiting extra staff, no impact on decisions to expand, and no impact on growth? Really hard to believe that they thought that, but then again perhaps not. @RachelReevesMP

[Russell Imrie 🇪🇺 @RussellImrie]

RIP Ken McCulloch, a visionary Scottish hotelier who was a pioneer of the boutique hotel concept in UK, the person behind One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, Malmaison Hotels, Dakota Hotels, and the creator of innovative wine bars, restaurants and hotels.