Leaving the EU a positive impact for the Isle of Wight

LEAVING the EU is having a positive impact on holiday island the Isle of Wight, according to Wight Coast Holidays who are the island's leading provider of self catering holidays.

Estimates vary but the company have seen a rise in holidays by over 20% for #IsleofWight holiday rentals in 2019 compared to 2018.

According to a spokesman from their office in Bembridge they have received multiple bookings from holidaymakers who normally visit Spain, France and Portugal worried about possible delays at airports after the UK leaves the EU - and the prospect of queueing for their flights with children in tow for hours on end has led to them considering the Isle of Wight in 2019, with some visiting for the first time in a few years.

For many in the UK the Isle of Wight ferry crossing separates them from a staycation on the mainland, and the crossing takes less than an hour with Red Funnel from Southampton and Wightlink from Portsmouth Harbour and Lymington.

While it's likely that other UK destinations will experience a holiday industry boost in Devon and Cornwall for example, the fact that to get to the Isle of Wight involves a ferry crossing for those used to going abroad could mean the island will benefit more from the uncertainty over Brexit.

Top attractions on the island include Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House but for family holidays the beaches of Bembridge, Seaview, Sandown and Shanklin could mean tourists will return again in future years with a positive impact on the tourist industry, which is a major player in the island's economy.


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European Capital of Smart Tourism nominees

A new EU initiative aims to promote smart tourism in the EU, foster innovative, sustainable and inclusive tourism development, as well as spread and facilitate the exchange of best practices. The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative recognises outstanding achievements in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity, by European cities as tourism destinations.

The following cities have been shortlisted as finalists in the competition for the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019 are:

Brussels (Belgium), Helsinki (Finland), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Lyon (France), Málaga (Spain), Nantes (France), Palma (Spain), Poznań (Poland), Tallinn (Estonia), and Valencia (Spain).


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ETIAS to come into force in 2021

THE WTTC congratulates the EU on the adoption of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a pre-authorisation system which allows the EU to know who is entering the EU, from where and if they pose a risk to EU security. When ETIAS comes into operation, all visa-exempt third-country nationals who plan to travel to the Schengen area will have to apply for pre-travel authorisation. The aim of this is to ease travel to the EU and simplify border checks. 

ETIAS will be free for under 18s and over 70s and 7 euros for all other travellers. Applying for ETIAS requires no more than a travel document, credit card and access to internet. A vast majority of applicants will receive a positive reply within minutes. If additional information, documentation or an interview would be needed, different possibilities will be offered taking into account the situation of the traveller.

The new system was adopted on the 5th July at the European Parliament Plenary in Strasbourg and is expected to come into operation in 2021.



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Germany in Conde Nast Traveler Top 10

#GERMANY belongs to the "10 best countries to live in", so the current edition of the international lifestyle magazine Conde Nast Traveler. 

A number of factors, including health, sustainability, education, equality, and the average income of the population included in the ranking of the publishing house. 

Petra Hedorfer, Chairman of the Board of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB): "the quality of life in Germany enjoys high international esteem. This characterises the excellent image of in Germany and supports the demand for the destination." 

Leader in the ranking of 2017 Norway, followed by Australia and Switzerland. Germany is the fourth ranked before Denmark, Singapore, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Canada and the United States.

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Record April for overseas visitors to the UK

NEW figures released show that it was a record April for the number of overseas visits to the UK and spend.

VisitBritain figures show that 3.7 million visits were made to the UK in April this year, up 19% compared to the same month last year and the highest April since records began. Overseas visitors spent a record £2 billion in April, 20% up on the same month last year.

The figures come on the back of a record first-quarter for inbound visits to the UK and spend. The figures bring the number of inbound visits to the UK for January to April this year to a record 11.8 million, 11% up on the same period in 2016 with visitors spending £6.2 billion, up 14% and also setting a new record.

Growth this year has been led from long-haul regions including North America with more than one million visits from January to April, up 16% compared to the same period last year.

There were a record 8.3 million visits from the EU from January to April this year, up 7% on 2016.

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International tourists reach nearly half a billion in 2016

DESPITE many challenges facing Europe in 2016, tourism has once again shown extraordinary strength and resilience, reinforcing its contribution to economic growth, job creation and social well-being in the European Union (EU-28).

The 28 countries of the EU boasted a solid growth in international tourist arrivals of above 4% in 2016, exceeding the world’s average growth rate, and increasing by 21 million to 499 million.

2016 was the 7th consecutive year of sustained growth for the EU-28 following the 2009 global economic and financial crisis, with 107 million more tourists than the pre-crisis level of 2008.

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Brexit bonus for UK tourism

MOST of the ‘experts’ working in Britain’s tourism sector kept themselves busy during the country’s June referendum on its European Union membership issuing dire warnings of catastrophe and collapse if Brits voted the ‘wrong’ way – the wrong being to vote in favour of leaving the EU. Post-June statistics compiled by tourism bodies, however, suggest that in the short-term at least, the experts got it, er, wrong.

According to the Tourism Alliance – with members including the British Hospitality Association, the Association of British Travel Agents, and regional tourist boards – billions of pounds have flowed into the industry since the June 23 Leave vote.

There has been a substantial increase in visitors from abroad and in Brits opting for a staycation.

The extra takings in 2016 for staycations alone are estimated to be £2.4 billion. While £1 billion of that was spent before June 23, the total additional staycation income for 2016 is expected to be £1.4 billion. An extra £725 million has been spent so far across Britain’s popular tourist destinations. And hundreds of millions more are set to be spent thanks to the growth in foreign visitors.

The falling pound since the Brexit vote has made holidays more expensive for Britons going abroad and cheaper for foreign tourists coming here – giving Britain’s tourism industry a double boost.

Other factors adding to the boom are recent good weather, low interest rates and fears of terrorism across the Channel. .

Tourism Alliance director Kurt Janson said the additional £2.4 billion has the potential to create some 40,000 new jobs in the sector.

Businesses in Blackpool said the seaside town was having one of its best seasons ever, and Visit Cornwall said tourism across the county was up by more than four percent.

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Brexit will not have ‘significant impact’, says Eurotunnel

CHANNEL TUNNEL operator Eurotunnel has issued a note of confidence in the wake of Britain voting to leave the European Union.

The company revealed that first-half revenues rose by 2% to €582 million (£) ‘in spite of the uncertain geo-political context’.
 
Eurotunnel said: ‘As the mechanisms for and the means by which the UK will leave the European Union have yet to be determined, it is difficult to predict the effect on the macro-economic and political environment and therefore on cross-Channel transport and the group’s activities. Nonetheless, the group does not expect any significant impact on its activities in the short term and currently activity remains buoyant.’
 
The company reported the best first-half for its Le Shuttle car-carrying service since 2001 with an estimated two-point increase in its market share against a 4% decline in the overall cross-channel car market.
 
Eurostar traffic was down 3% year-on-year following the terrorist attacks in Brussels in March and strikes in Belgium and France in March and June.
 
Eurotunnel chairman and chief executive Jacques Gounon said: ‘Month after month, Eurotunnel has broken traffic records, particularly for the truck shuttles. The tunnel has never been as highly utilized as it is today. Despite the financial market uncertainty generated by the UK voting to leave the European Union, the group remains confident in the performance of its economic model and in its outlook.’

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Brexit won’t hit Brits’ holiday plans – Travelzoo survey

THE UK voted to leave the European Union, but results of a survey commissioned by Travelzoo suggests the impact on Britons travelling this summer will be minimal. Only 3% of Britons now plan to cancel due to concerns about the current value of the pound, and 37% will still head across the Channel. 

Travelzoo's June representative survey was carried out in the days just after the vote, and the results show that Spain and France are the most popular summer holiday destinations with UK travellers. The US is also proving popular, and is the highest-ranked destination outside of Europe. This news comes in spite of the sterling’s instability against the US dollar.

The increasing popularity of long-haul travel in general seems unaffected by the Brexit vote – Australia and Canada also made the top-10 list, joining destinations closer to home, such as Portugal, Greece, Italy, and Cyprus.

Travelzoo is also reporting increasing demand for all-inclusive holidays, with over a quarter (26%) saying they would be more likely to opt for one this year.

Joel Brandon-Bravo, travel commentator and UK managing director of Travelzoo said: ‘The stoic British spirit has prevailed and it's incredibly positive to see people still pushing ahead with their holiday plans. However, for this to continue we urge the UK government to act quickly to resolve uncertainties around visa restrictions and other possible changes impacting travel.

‘If they react slowly, and tourism is pushed down the list of priorities, British holidaymakers could be facing more expensive overseas holidays, and consequently we could see a dip in travel. First and foremost, we need reassurance from those negotiating our exit from the EU that tourism will be a high priority. We have to understand how an independent UK can operate in the European Common Aviation Area, otherwise we'll be living in a world of reduced competition, reduced routes, and higher travel prices. Action is needed now.’

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UK travel plans unchanged by Brexit vote – Travelzoo

THE UK – or at least England and Wales – voted to leave the European Union, but research suggests the impact on Britons travelling this summer will be minimal, as only 3% of them now plan to cancel due to concerns about the current value of the pound.

Global travel deals publisher Travelzoo conducted its June Travel Trends survey in the days just after the vote, and the results indicate that 37% of Britons are heading to the continent this year, with Spain and France emerging as the most popular destinations. The US is also proving popular, and is the highest ranked destination outside Europe. This news comes in spite of the pound’s instability against the dollar.

The increasing popularity of long-haul travel in general seems unaffected by the Brexit vote – Australia and Canada also made the top-10 list, joining destinations closer to home, such as Portugal, Greece, Italy and Cyprus.

Travelzoo is also reporting increasing demand for all-inclusive holidays, with more than a quarter (26%) saying they would be more likely to opt for one this year.

Joel Brandon-Bravo, UK managing director of Travelzoo said: ‘The stoic British spirit has prevailed and it’s incredibly positive to see people still pushing ahead with their holiday plans. However, for this to continue, we urge the UK government to act quickly to resolve uncertainties around visa restrictions and other possible changes impacting travel.

‘If they react slowly, and tourism is pushed down the list of priorities, British holidaymakers could be facing more expensive overseas holidays, and consequently we could see a dip in travel.’

Despite the vote to leave the EU last month, fewer than one in 10 (9%) are worried they’ll be treated negatively while on holiday, and over four-fifths (81%) said that the EU referendum has had no impact on their willingness to travel this summer.

When asked about how they feel about safety now we have voted to leave the EU, 21% said they believed being outside will make it harder to combat terrorism both abroad and at home in the UK.

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We still love you, Tenerife tells Brits after Brexit vote

THE #TENERIFE TOURISM CORPORATION is running what it calls a #bigwarmhug campaign to tell the British that the island is on their side regardless of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union.

Reaching out to both holidaymakers and the travel trade, the campaign will be primarily promoted via social media channels and will see the people of Tenerife offering a ‘big warm hug’ to British tourists already on the island. The Tenerife people, including taxi drivers and hoteliers will upload images of themselves hugging British tourists holidaying on the island to demonstrate their love for their most important source market.

Vicente Dorta, director general of the Tenerife Tourism Corporation, comments: ‘We are delighted to be running this campaign. The UK accounts for 34% of tourist arrivals to our island and we are very grateful to the British public. We wanted to run this campaign to tell the British people that we are thinking of them during this uncertain time and that no matter what happens, they are never out of our hearts.’

The tourism minister in the island’s government, Alberto Bernabe, adds: ‘The key to this campaign is to engage with as many people as possible – both on Tenerife and in the UK. With political uncertainty in the UK at the moment, we hope this campaign will show the British people that we are with them no matter what.’

Tenerife welcomed more than 1.7 million British visitors in 2015.

www.webtenerife.co.uk

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Keep calm, and carry on travelling

What are the long-term implications of Britain’s Brexit vote for tourism and travel? Go Holiday editor David Kernek peers through the euro-mist

BRITAIN’S ‘No’ vote to European Union (EU) membership was arguably as seismic for this country (which for the time being comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) as the 16th century Protestant reformation in Europe, the establishment of the English republic in 1649, and – a century later – the loss of the American colonies. So it’s not surprising that the campaign run by a political class for which the Brussels Empire has been a gravy train for more than four decades – and for the hard-core Europhiles an article of faith – was a toxic cocktail of dodgy economic forecasts, threats, and groundless assumptions: the Chancellor of the Exchequer said he’d table punishment Budget if the country dared to vote the ‘wrong’ way, while his fellow Remainers told youngsters – people who have never known life outside the EU – that they’d not easily be able to spend their gap years in Paris, Florence, and Berlin … Belgium and Luxembourg seeming to have little appeal to our cosmopolitan teenagers.

I welcomed the referendum and applauded the result, yet I recognize that what happens next will be painful; the slumping £, however, means a short-term gain for Britain’s tourism sector … enquiries and holiday bookings from the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and EU states have increased sharply since June 24. We are, nevertheless, looking at the possible break-up of the union of England and Scotland (albeit with the Queen as head of an independent Scottish state) and two, possibly three, years in which skilled and determined negotiators will have to get the best possible exit terms while British legislators trudge through the law books to which of the thousands of EU directives and regulations can be binned and which kept and perhaps modified. Much of this work will have implications for travel and tourism, for Britain and the 27-member EU.

It’s far, far too soon to predict the likely outcome for holidaymakers and business travellers, but there are some assumptions that can be made fairly safely, putting aside the menacing growls from Brussels, Paris, and Berlin from Eurocrats who are explicably angered by the impending loss of their empire’s second-largest contributor:

Airlines: EU-US Open Skies agreement liberalizing international aviation is a development of the Netherlands-US deal signed in 1992, when it was at first opposed by the EU Commission. Preventing Britain signing up to it would not be in the trade interests of our continental neighbours, since their tourism industries – essential economic engines in southern Europe – would suffer. Freddie Laker pioneered the cheap flights boom in 1966, seven years before Britain joined the then European Economic Community (EEC), so it’s likely to survive Brexit.

Air Passengers Rights: Giving compensation rights to passengers when flights are delayed or cancelled, these derive from an EU regulation applicable currently in Britain. After exit from the EU, parliament can carry it over into UK law – unchanged or amended – or ditch it.

Visas: These weren’t necessary for travel by British citizens to the countries of what was then the EEC – and vice versa – before 1973. It’s reasonable to assume they won’t be post-Brexit. It’s similarly realistic to forecast that the open-borders Common Travel Area agreement – which dates back to 1922/3 – between Britain, the Irish Republic, and Northern Ireland will endure.

Passports: UK passports will in time be re-designed, with references to the European Union deleted. Whether or not we’ll see a comeback for the old blue ones remains to be seen.

Aliens: It’s been suggested – by Remain campaigners – that EU citizens resident in the UK and Brits in EU states could be told go back, as it were, where they came from, thus making expats pawns in Britain’s exit negotiations. Lawyers differ (as they often do) as whether the 1969 Treaty of Vienna protects the so-called acquired or vested rights of residence, but even the europhile think tank British Influence thinks that it does: ‘International law should be sufficient to protect acquired rights. For example, under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, while parties to a treaty can be released from future obligations by withdrawing from the agreement, rights, and obligations acquired under the same treaty are not affected.’

Mobile phone roaming charges: Under EU law, holidaymakers and business travellers will be able to call, text and surf at UK rates in all EU states from mid-2017. It will be up to the UK parliament to either continue the ban on roaming charges … or not.

Duty frees: Duty-free shopping was abolished by the EU, but it could be restored after Brexit.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): This entitles UK travellers to the same, free healthcare available in other EU countries. Keeping it will be an agenda item for the Brexit negotiations, and would depend on enabling EU citizens equivalent access to Britain’s national health service.

But little if anything will change for at least two years, so keep calm and carry on travelling.

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ABTA looks to allay holidaymakers’ fears over Brexit

THIS is a list of responses issued by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) to frequently asked questions from UK holidaymakers concerning the impact of Brexit…

How will Brexit affect my holiday? Until the UK officially leaves the European Union, not sooner than two years’ time, there will no changes to holiday arrangements. Travellers are as free to move between the UK and the EU as they were before the vote. European Health Insurance cards remain valid and regulations such as Air Passenger Rights remain in place.

I’m going to Europe this summer, is my passport still valid? Yes.

Which queue will I go into at the airport – EU passports or all others? The same queue as you did before the vote.

Do I need a visa to go to Spain? No.

Can I still get compensation if my flight is delayed or cancelled? Yes. There will be no immediate changes to claiming compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled. The UK Government will need to implement a new law on compensation for flight delays and compensation after we leave the EU.

What about using my mobile phone abroad? Will roaming charges increase? There will be no immediate changes to using your phone abroad, and there won’t be an immediate impact on charges. The UK Government will need to implement a new law on roaming charges after we leave the EU, otherwise the service providers will be free to set roaming charges.

Can I still take money out from cashpoints abroad? Yes, you can continue to take out cash, as normal.

Will it be more expensive to go on holiday abroad? Not necessarily. If you are travelling abroad and you have already paid for all of your travel arrangements, as part of a package holiday for example, then you will be protected to a large degree from a drop in the value of the pound. However, your spending power while abroad will be impacted in the event of a weaker pound, making it more expensive to buy things such as meals and drinks.

Will the cost of flights increase? A weaker pound might impact the cost of flights in the short term, in the longer term the UK government will seek to negotiate full access to the EU’s common aviation market.

My travel company has asked me to pay more for my holiday due to the currency fluctuations. Is that ok? Check the terms and conditions of the organizer that you’ve booked with. If you’ve booked a package holiday this is covered by certain rules: the maximum surcharge by law is up to 10% of the original cost of the holiday. If you haven’t booked a package, you should check the terms and conditions of your travel arrangement.

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Industry stakeholders have their say on Brexit

‘Holidaymakers shouldn’t assume that Brexit means all that will be lost. The UK travel market is vital to the economy of many European countries and regions’

Joel Brandon-Bravo, UK managing director of Travelzoo:

“Following confirmation of a win for the Leave vote, the next 24 months of negotiations will be crucial for #British #travel – particularly if the UK Government wants to maintain in-bound tourism from the European Union and avoid a price hike for Britons wanting to travel abroad for holidays.

Obviously top priority is dealing with the impact the referendum result will have on the value of the pound, but there are other factors that could make the result a big blow for the travel industry. As such, we’re now urging the government to act quickly to re-negotiate how an independent UK operates in The European Common Aviation Area. UK airlines seem unanimous in the opinion that a #Brexit will lead to reduced competition, reduced routes, and higher travel prices.

Other factors now up for negotiation include the loss of the EHIC card – which gives EU members the right to health treatment in any EU country – a potential increase in phone roaming charges following a recent EU initiative cap on charges, and changes to visa regulations for Britons travelling to the EU.

With so many variables in play, it’s difficult to predict the exact impact the Leave vote will have on the tourism industry, but research suggests it will be a negative one. In order to ensure UK travellers and the UK tourism industry do not suffer as we enter the busiest months for travel, the British government has got to enter negotiations with Brussels immediately over the EU policy which impacts travel.”

Andrew Shelton, managing director of global flight search and travel deals website, Cheapflights.co.uk:

“The referendum result will throw the spotlight onto many benefits British travellers have taken for granted for years, including the agreements which created the environment for the budget airlines to thrive and kept airfares low across the board and encouraged the free movement of people, a currency deal that has made the Eurozone so cheap to visit for years, the end of mobile data roaming charges, and free healthcare within the EU.

Nobody could predict the outcome of the referendum, and we now face an uncertain future of speculation and re-negotiation. Those who have thought ahead and conducted thorough scenario planning for this eventuality are those who are best placed to navigate this new pathway – although we fear few will have done so given today’s shocked reactions.

Holidaymakers shouldn’t assume that Brexit means all that will be lost. The UK travel market is vital to the economy of many European countries and regions. It will be in their interests to seek ways to maintain the status quo. The government must now work hard to secure deals with the EU that support our vibrant industry and we believe maximum effort will be going in from all sides in the coming months and years to ensure the UK cash cow isn’t put out to pasture.

Some holidaymakers will be deterred from booking by the falling pound, but the British traveller has proven time and time again that nothing will stand in the way of them having their hard-earned holiday.”

Steve Witt, managing director of Not Just Travel and The Travel Franchise:

“Despite any exit from Europe taking two years or more to really happen, the biggest effect we will see in the short term is currency fluctuation and market uncertainty.

This means that the prices of travel and holidays could be affected in the future as we don’t know what the effect of currency changes will have on the price of holidays, hotels, fuel etc. Prices for the coming 6-12 months have probably already been fixed and guaranteed with tour operators, holiday companies, and hoteliers, therefore now is a good time to book a holiday.

We might see some prices rise in the future as things settle down, but we also might not because of the important aspect our tourism has on the world economy. The amount of money Brits spend abroad is considerable, so whether we are part of Europe or not, countries such as Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Spain and many other top holiday destinations need our business.”

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Brexit will have 'no material impact' – easyJet

HAVING joined the chorus of doom warning of, er, doom during the EU referendum, easyJet has expressed confidence that the UK’s Brexit vote will not have a ‘material impact’ on its low-cost strategy.

The airline says it had been preparing for this eventuality in the lead up to the referendum vote and has been working on a number of options that will allow it to continue flying in all of its markets.

easyJet’s initial focus will be to accelerate discussions with UK and EU governments and regulators to ensure that the UK remains part of the single EU aviation market. It would ensure that consumers continue to benefit from low-fares and would mean easyJet and other airlines can continue to operate as they do now.

However, easyJet admitted that it will also continue to develop ‘alternative options’ that will fully maintain its existing network and operations.

A statement said: ‘easyJet is confident that its unique network, digital leadership, cost advantage, and financial strength will enable it to continue to execute on its strategy and to deliver long term sustainable earnings growth and returns to shareholders.’

Says chief executive Carolyn McCall: ‘We remain confident in the strength of easyJet’s business model and our ability to continue to deliver our successful strategy and our leading returns. We have today written to the UK government and the European Commission to ask them to prioritize the UK remaining part of the single EU aviation market, given its importance to trade and consumers.’

Meanwhile, BMI Regional has warned that it might quit its UK base because of the uncertainty and complexity thrown up by the referendum vote to leave the European Union.

Peter Simpson, chief executive of the regional carrier, said: ‘The vote has created, first and foremost, a lot of uncertainty about the future of the UK, the EU, and Europe as a whole. For a business such as BMI Regional, being heavily influenced by the freedom of trade and traffic, this uncertainty will undoubtedly add a layer of complexity to our business. BMI Regional will keenly monitor developments over the coming weeks and months to assess the challenges and opportunities they will create for the business. It is, however, safe to say, that our continued business domicile as a UK entity is less than clear at this point in time.’

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‘Period of uncertainty ahead’: UK travel industry reacts to Brexit vote

THE UK travel trade’s two main industry bodies – the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and UKinbound – have warned of turbulent times ahead following the country’s decision to #leave the European Union.

In the immediate aftermath of the #referendum vote, UKinbound CEO Deirdre Wells warned of ‘far-reaching consequences’ for its 370 business members.

‘UKinbound feels the decision to leave the #EU is disappointing,’ she said. ‘However, we have proved time and again that we are a resilient industry and the government must now work hard to secure a deal which supports our vibrant industry, which relies on the European Union for two-thirds of its business. The priority must now be to ensure that our members have the best possible environment in which to grow their business and to support them in welcoming visitors from all corners of the globe.’

ABTA said while the UK trade was entering a ‘period of uncertainty’, in regulatory terms there will not be any immediate changes.

‘Once the UK formally notifies the EU of its intention to leave, the remaining member states will have up to two years to offer the UK a deal for a future trading relationship. This period can also be extended if all parties agree. Until this process is resolved, everything will remain as it is now.’

ABTA reiterated that its role was to help keep the industry informed, to help the public to remain confident in travelling, and to help the government to understand and prioritize those matters that are important to ‘our members and our industry’.

‘ABTA will be working proactively with the government to raise awareness of the priorities for travel businesses, and UK travellers, as they negotiate a future trading relationship. We started this process some months ago, with a programme of engagement with ‘leave’ campaigners in Westminster, and we have prepared a detailed list of policy and regulatory priorities that we will be discussing with leading policymakers in the coming weeks. It will also be important to ensure that the industry’s domestic agenda is not neglected, and ABTA will continue to press for action on airport capacity, ATOL reform, which remains relevant whatever the future of the EU’s Package Travel Directive, and Air Passenger Duty.’

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UK hospitality industry split over Brexit

A SURVEY of operators in the UK hospitality industry has found that 49% plan to vote leave in Thursday’s EU Referendum, while 43% plan to vote remain and 7% are still undecided. 

The survey by RPBi, the hospitality data specialist, found that the majority of recipients – whether voting to leave or to remain – believe a leave vote would have a ‘negative impact on the economy’.

The B2B survey received 1,915 responses from operators across all sectors of the hospitality industry. The aim: To determine the industry’s thoughts on the EU Referendum and the impact on recruitment and investment in the UK hospitality industry in the event of a leave vote.

Respondents taking part in the survey were asked the official referendum question: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

Hospitality professionals in Wales were most in favour of voting to leave (64%), whilst those in London are the most likely to vote remain with 62.5%. Furthermore, the figures suggest that there will be more operators in Scotland voting to remain than leave; in all other regions, a higher percentage of hospitality professionals intend to vote leave. B&Bs and caterers are more likely to vote leave, with restaurants, hotels, and head offices more likely to vote remain.

Respondents, which included business owners and decision-makers, were also asked: “If the UK votes to leave the European Union, do you think it will be easier to recruit staff?” The majority thought there would be no impact (51%), with 34% stating it would be harder to recruit, 7% said it would be easier, to recruit and 8.5% said they “don’t know”.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Keith Britten, director of RPBi, said: ‘The results of the survey mirror recent national opinion polls. Surprisingly, for the hospitality industry, the majority of respondents said that there would be no impact on recruitment in the event of a leave vote; with only a third saying it would be harder to recruit.’

Further findings suggest that the older the respondent, the more likely they would be to vote leave – more than 50% of those over 55 intend to vote leave, as opposed to 26% for 25-34 year olds. Also, men are more likely to vote leave than women (50% vs 46%).

When asked “If the UK votes to leave the European Union, what do you think the impact will be on investment into the UK’s hospitality industry?”, more than a third of recipients said there would be “no impact” (38%), while 36% thought there would be reduced investment. In all, 13.5% stated there would be increased investment, and 12% said they “don’t know”.

Mr Britten concluded: ‘After analyzing the comments and survey results, the one key fact that stands out is that whichever way people decide to vote, the majority believe that a leave vote would have a negative impact on the economy. However, those voting to leave suggest that the negative impact will be short-lived and the benefits will be reaped in the long-term.”

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Brexit: More from the Ministry of Fear

AND still it comes from the Department of Fear, also known as the Remain campaign in Britain’s EU referendum. A so-called study by Travelzoo and Bournemouth University has found that:

A British exit from the European Union could cost the UK’s tourism industry up to £4.1 billion a year in international tourist spending

Many people in Europe would be “less likely” to visit Britain if it was outside the EU

Sentiment among the four largest EU nations – France, Germany, Italy, and Spain – is that the UK should stay in the EU, with just under 70% in the Remain camp

Firstly, note the word could.

Secondly, that people in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain want the UK to stay in the EU is in no way surprising: Britain is the second-largest net contributor to the EU’s vast budget. Since when have turkeys welcomed an early Christmas?

Thirdly, the survey also found that respondents from some nations – notably France – believe that leaving the EU could make Britain a safer destination for holidays … in which case, why would our neighbours across the Channel be “less likely” to visit Britain?

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Brexit? We’ll still travel, say Brits

MOST of the major companies and organizations in Britain’s tourism industries want the country to remain a member of the European Union (EU). They claim that leaving would hit the travel trade by making people think twice before booking holidays abroad. But a survey* by HolidayExtras.com suggests that their fears might be unfounded. The survey found that a British vote to leave the EU would not deter holidaymakers from travelling. Regardless of a potential increase in flight costs, the majority of Brits would not be discouraged from going on holiday abroad, with 37 percent stating they would travel to destinations within the EU whatever the costs, and a further 31 per cent claiming that if flight costs increased as a result of a Brexit, they would choose to venture to non-EU destinations. 

When asked about the potential rise in plane ticket costs as a result of a vote to leave the EU, the survey revealed that 46 percent of Brits don’t see why it would make a difference, with a further four percent claiming they could afford any increase, and three percent convinced that it would affect businesses more than consumers.

When questioned on other factors that might be affected by a British exit, 72 percent of travellers explained that they would not be concerned if their European Health Insurance Card was deemed invalid. Almost half of Brits (49 percent) said they take out travel insurance anyway, so it would make no difference to them, four percent have never understood what the EHIC is for, and 19 percent said they’ve never needed it anyway. It seems that changes to mobile phone roaming charges aren’t a concern for Brits either, as almost half of travellers are not concerned with the potential hike in costs.

Communications Director at Holiday Extras, Ant Clarke-Cowell explains: “Despite all the headlines regarding the implications that a Brexit would have, it appears that British holidaymakers have no concerns about how it might impact their travel plans. Many seem to believe that it’s businesses that would pay the price if we left the EU, and our poll implies that Brits are prepared to holiday whatever the cost. Over half claimed they had no concerns that a Brexit could increase flight prices, and almost three quarters have no qualms about the prospect of their EHIC being rendered invalid.;

*Holiday Extras polled more than 2,000 holidaymakers from across the UK in March 2016.

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Should we stay … or should we go?

Go Holiday editor David Kernek looks at the case for the UK staying in the EU, and finds it … underwhelming

WITH a Keep Britain in the European Union coalition that includes the President of the United States, the leading bigshots in the 28 member states of the EU, almost all of Britain’s mainstream political parties (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Scottish and Welsh nationalists), a couple of ex-heads of MI5 and MI6, a former boss of Marks & Spencer, major players in the travel and tourism industries and not forgetting former prime minister Gordon Brown and Sir Richard Branson – no scrub that, let’s forget them – should those of us who had been intending to vote for a UK exit from the EU conclude that we are insane, exceedingly dense, or just in need of a cup of tea and a few hours of rest in a dark room, after which we’d realize that all of these eminent people really do know best?

There isn’t time or space enough here to highlight all of the deceptions, exaggerations, and absurd assumptions – and all of the examples of confused thinking – that characterize the Remain discourse, but I’ll have a go.

Never mind that the UK’s prime minister in his negotiation with the EU asked for a few slices of bread and came back with a handful of crumbs, or that in no meaningful sense do the new membership terms he finds acceptable leave us with a ‘reformed’ union.

No matter that British politicians have since 1973 deceived voters – and perhaps themselves – about the fundamental purpose of the Brussels project, which was and remains the creation of a continental superstate, the downsides of which have been inflicted so far chiefly on Greece (where the results of general elections now count for nothing), Italy (where an unelected cabinet was installed to head off a euro debt crisis), Spain, and Portugal.

Let’s not look at the way in which defence and security issues have been hauled in, as if the EU plays any useful part in the military and intelligence alliances that protect these islands … as if the open borders in the useless Schengen Zone have prevented terrorist murders in the capitals of Western Europe … as if a third continent-wide war might or could or possibly be the consequence of leaving what we were told was simply a free trade block, albeit one in which the laws of nation states are secondary to legislation approved by the EU’s Commission and so-called parliament – that’s the parliament that sits at enormous financial cost in both Brussels and Strasbourg. There are, believe it or not, defence experts in both the US and Britain who say a UK exit would have no adverse impact on the Anglo-American alliance.

Don’t give a second thought to the fact that many of the great and the good who are warning of the direst consequences of a British exit were the same great and the good who led the cheerleading for a UK entry into the financial and political swamp that is EU’s single currency zone … or that many of them have in one way or another had – or still have – a first class seat on the Brussels gravy train. When a university or research outfit sings the praises of the EU, ask how much folding money it gets from Brussels, and how much of it came in the first place from UK taxpayers.

Never mind that for every so-called expert who warns of chaos and failure for a Britain outside the EU, I could call in aid an economist, investment specialist, or defence expert to put the counter argument. Here are FIVE of them:

‘1.History amply demonstrates to us that when you impose artificial borders and artificial unity on a group of human beings, it tends to blow up nastily, and usually in your face.’ That was John Stepek, Editor, MoneyWeek

2.‘Contrary to the claims of many authors and commentators, it is probable that the impacts of Brexit on trade would be relatively small. Moreover, it is certainly possible that leaving the European Union would leave the external sector better off in the long run, if Britain could use its new found freedom to negotiate its own trading arrangements to good effect. It is plausible that Brexit could have a modest negative impact on growth and job creation. However it is slightly more plausible that the net impact would be modestly positive. There are potential net benefits in the areas of a more tailored immigration policy, the freedom to make trade deals, moderately lower levels of regulation, and savings to the public purse.’ That was Capital Economics.

3.‘The truth about Brexit from a national security perspective is that the cost to Britain would be low. Brexit would bring two potentially important security gains: the ability to dump the European Convention on Human Rights — remember the difficulty of extraditing the extremist Abu Hamza of the Finsbury Park Mosque – and, more importantly, greater control over immigration from the European Union. Britain is Europe’s leader in intelligence and security matters and gives much more than it gets in return. It is difficult to imagine any of the other EU members ending the relationships they already enjoy with the UK. Richard Dearlove, chief of MI6, 1999 -2004.

4.‘I don't mean to be arguing against the European Union, but with regards to these kinds of questions, the union is not a natural contributor to the national security of each of the entity states. In some ways it gets in the way of the state's providing security for its own citizens.’ General Michael Hayden, former head of the CIA.

5. ‘I am not saying for one moment that Britain couldn’t survive outside the European Union. Of course we could. We are a great country. The fifth largest economy in the world. The fastest growing economy in the G7 last year. The biggest destination for Foreign Direct Investment in the EU. Our capital city a global icon. The world, literally, speaks our language. No one doubts that Britain is a proud, successful thriving country. A nation that has turned round its fortunes though its own efforts. A far cry from the ‘sick man of Europe’ at the time we entered the European Economic Community four decades ago. Whether we could be successful outside the European Union is not the question.’ That, in November 2015, was none other Prime Minister David Cameron, attempting to argue not that Britain would be unsuccessful outside the EU but that it would be even more successful if it stayed in. He declined to offer a guess as to how much more successful – the Treasury has since cobbled up a calculation of how much worse off the average household would be in 2030 outside the Brussels Empire – and has since moved on to prophesying WW3. In doing so, he doesn’t seem to have noticed that the political, economic, and social fissures created by the drive to a United States of Europe has nourished the growth in France, Germany, Austria, Greece and elsewhere of parties at the very unpleasant end of the Right-wing spectrum. He’s now saying the economic consequences would be ‘terrible’; what does he know now that he didn’t in November last year?

Travel, tourism, and holiday companies, and their lobbying organizations, have been vocal in their opposition to the restoration of the UK as an independent, self-governing state. Richard Branson, the Association of British Travel Agents, easyJet, Ryanair have joined in the scaremongering, warning of the end of cheap travel and holidays, visa barriers, and a risk to jobs in the tourism industry. There has been talk of this island being isolated, cut off, and of ‘economic suicide’.

Some people of nervous disposition have been frightened by this tosh. Interviewed on BBC Radio 4 recently, an undergraduate with a nervous disposition said she wouldn’t be able to have inter-rail holidays in Europe. How on earth did she get into a university? My first trip to France was in the late 1960s which, history graduates might know, was when Britain was not a member of the then European Economic Community. I bought my ferry ticket, showed my passport … and I was in. Cheap package holidays in the Spanish Costas began some years before Britain made the mistake of joining the EEC. Visas weren’t needed then: why would they be required if the British vote for independence?

Are the governments of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the rest likely to put up British Tourists Not Welcome signs? I suspect that’s as improbable as a German chancellor wanting to start a tariff war that would make it much more difficult for the Bayerische Motoren Werke Company to sell its excellent cars in Britain. Now, all that really would be economic suicide. What’s the German – or French – for cutting off your nose to spite your face?

There’s no doubting the economic importance of in-bound tourism to all of the four nations of the UK. The UK tourism industry – accounting for 9.6% of total employment – keeps more than three million in work. What can be doubted are the assertions that a Britain outside the EU would have an adverse on the industry; that, simply, fewer people would want to visit, that airlines would take the country off their destination lists.

There’s no reason to believe that the current passport arrangements with our neighbours in Western Europe would change. The island’s tourism assets – history, heritage, landscapes, Shakespeare, Stonehenge and the rest – would continue to be a major draw, along with, for many, our funny habit of driving on the wrong side of the road and the country’s reluctance to ditch a currency, the roots of which can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon England. The pound sterling is the world's oldest currency still in use. The importance of tourism from EU states can also be exaggerated. VisitBritain reports that the top three markets which have recently shown the highest absolute growth in value (on average during the last five years) are all long haul to the UK: the US, China, and Australia. On what basis can it be feared that a Britain outside the European Union would be of diminishing interest to people in these markets? There isn’t one.

Many of the so-called arguments in favour of Britain’s participation in the dystopian Brussels project are not greatly unlike those heard more than half a century ago, when the original six-nation European Economic Community was created and when in the 1960s, one of the most useful contributions was made by General Charles de Gaulle who as France’s president twice vetoed UK applications to join.

‘Compared with the motives that led the Six to organize their unit,’ he explained, ‘we understand why Britain – who is not continental, who remains, because of the Commonwealth and because she is an island, committed far beyond the seas, who is tied to the United States by all kinds of special agreements – did not merge into a Community with set dimensions and strict rules. In short, the nature, the structure, the very situation that are England’s differ profoundly from those of the continentals.

‘England is maritime, she is linked through her exchanges, her markets, her supply lines to the most diverse and often the most distant countries; she pursues essentially industrial and commercial activities, and only slight agricultural ones. She has in all her doings very marked and very original habits and traditions. The question is whether Great Britain can now place herself like the Continent and with it inside a tariff which is genuinely common, to renounce all Commonwealth preferences, to cease any pretence that her agriculture be privileged, and, more than that, to treat her engagements with other countries of the free trade area as null and void — that question is the whole question.’

The general – whatever else he got wrong – knew it would never work. This referendum – something reckoned unthinkable for Britain’s political class a decade ago – is proof that he was right.
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