Tourism Alliance

Member-led voice for the UK visitor economy, worth £147bn.
Policy, advocacy, member support.
Representing 200k+ businesses and 2.4m UK jobs.

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

@robsmith66 @HospitalityTday Which is what I said on TV!

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

Live on BBC Breakfast this morning from York's Shambles making the case for the UK visitor economy.
The summer VAT cut to 5% is a win. But our European competitors charge 10% or less all year round. If we want to compete, we need to match them. And we need to stop cutting the budget of the agency that sells Britain to the world.
Tourism is £147 billion and 2.4 million jobs. It's also where young people get their first foot on the career ladder. That's worth investing in.
https://t.co/NdNL0RIwG1
#UKTourism #TourismAlliance #BBCBreakfast #VisitorEconomy

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

Today @eddylev joined @BBC Breakfast from #York to champion the UK’s vibrant tourism industry – a £147bn powerhouse supporting 2.4 million jobs. With #staycations rising, it’s a huge opportunity for our local businesses.

To remain competitive against European neighbours, we need a permanent 10% VAT rate, not just temporary cuts. We must also prioritise investment in marketing the UK – reversing recent budget cuts to @VisitBritainBiz is essential to foster growth and secure jobs for young people.

Watch the two-min segment here 👉https://t.co/KEhXHYexX6

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

@Overmyheadphoto So sorry to hear this. We are making the case to Government!

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

But tourism needs support from Government. A VAT cut to 10% would put us in line with European competitors, stimulate consumer spending, and help businesses struggling under the weight of costs. We need an ambitious strategy to grow the tourism sector which can generate much needed jobs for young people. @DCMS

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

We were talking tourism this morning on @BBCBreakfast with @bbcdanw
Recommending the amazing offerings across every part of the UK for domestic holidays and days out.

[UKHospitality @UKHofficial]

We hosted a holiday tax drop-in to discuss with MPs the impact this tax will have on domestic holidays, high streets and jobs across the UK.

Thank you @EmmaLewell for hosting the over 30 MPs who attended. Write to your MP today 👇
https://t.co/RT43lI8YJV

#StopTheHolidayTax

[patricia yates @patriciayatesVB]

And a fun night was had by all - congratulations to all our winners !

[VisitEnglandBiz @VisitEnglandBiz]

1⃣ day until the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence is here!✨

We look forward to revealing our national Gold, Silver and Bronze winners and celebrating the very best of English tourism tomorrow!

#VEAwards2026

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

Today, Tourism Alliance and @ukevents_org, with the support of our member organisations across the UK visitor economy and events industry, have written to @lisanandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and @Steph_Peacock, the Minister for Tourism.

The letter, co-signed by 24 organisations, raises serious concerns about the removal of ringfenced funding for @VisitBritainBiz's Business Events Growth Programme and the restructuring of its dedicated business events function.

Since 2018, the programme has delivered a 35:1 return on investment and generated £60.6 million in economic impact, supporting international business events across 18 UK cities.

We are calling for urgent action to restore national support for business events and to protect the UK’s competitiveness in an increasingly competitive global market.

You can read the full letter here👉https://t.co/WzaQS7UJJ6

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

@bernarddonoghue Congratulations! Looking forward to you wearing that at our next Advisory Council meeting!

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

“Tourism taxes have their place, but they're typically used to suppress demand in destinations that are overrun – the exact opposite of our situation,” “We need to be driving visitor numbers up, not pricing people out.”
@lisanandy @Steph_Peacock @RachelReevesMP @Keir_Starmer

https://t.co/thhlbxMJgF

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

21 visitor economy organisations have written to @RachelReevesMP this week on the Great British Summer Savings Scheme.
Two asks before the SI is laid:
Apply the 5% relief at point of purchase, not consumption
Don't leave charitable attractions behind
#Tourism #VisitorEconomy

[Bernard Donoghue @bernarddonoghue]

This is great and to be applauded. It places charitable visitor attractions - like zoos and botanics - which are VAT exempt but not exempt from the cost of living challenges, at a competitive disadvantage with private sector businesses . We’d prefer to see a sector wide support for ALL visitor attractions which appeal to ALL parts of the population.

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

@st_alliance @scotgov Excellent news!

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

The Great British Summer Savings Scheme is welcome: 5% VAT on family attractions and kids' meals, 25 June to 1 Sept.
Two fixes would make it work harder:

Apply it at point of purchase, not consumption
Don't leave charity attractions behind

#Tourism #VisitorEconomy #VAT @hmtreasury @DCMS @RachelReevesMP @Dan4Barnet @lisanandy @Steph_Peacock

[Bernard Donoghue @bernarddonoghue]

I am absolutely delighted that our advocacy work @alva_uk and the great working relationship we have with the Chancellor and @HMtreasury has resulted in this huge boost for visitor attractions and a real help to families this Summer. Thank you. https://t.co/wTVq1xvMgH

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

Adding to the list...Our five headline asks to CMS Select Committee Inquiry into Tourism.
Publish the National Visitor Economy Strategy without further delay
Reduce VAT on accommodation and hospitality to 10%
Do not introduce an England overnight visitor levy; assess the impact first
Materially increase and stabilise VisitBritain funding (£20 returned for every £1 invested)
Invest in the people who make tourism work

[Tourism Alliance @tourismsvoice]

Our 5 asks to @CommonsCMS:

Publish the Visitor Economy Strategy
Cut hospitality VAT to 10%
No England tourist tax — assess first
Properly fund @VisitBritain (£20:£1 ROI)
Invest in the workforce
#UKTourism