South Wiltshire MP raises concerns over proposed Holiday Tax
John Glen is warning it could turn visitors away from the area
South Wiltshire's MP is raising concerns about a proposed Holiday Tax, saying it could turn visitors away from the area at a crucial time.
The Government is considering allowing mayors and local leaders across England to introduce a tourist tax to increase revenue, which would then be reinvested into local transport and infrastructure.
A consultation on the proposal is currently being reviewed by Government.
But John Glen says it would make visiting Salisbury and South Wiltshire more expensive at the wrong time.
"Our excellent hotels, guest houses, pubs and attractions, they all depend on attracting visitors and adding another charge risks putting people off, particularly families watching their budgets. Tourism supports jobs across our area. and we should be encouraging more visitors, not creating additional barriers," the Conservative MP told us.
Hospitality and tourism are significant employers in the Salisbury area, with organisations like Salisbury Playhouse and the recently re-opened City Hall supporting hundreds of homes with jobs. But worries about how the sector is being impacted by Government decisions have been raised.
Organisations reliant on tourism have faced rising costs, energy bills and great contributions to national insurance, a policy introduced by the current Government.
Mr Glen said: "For sectors such as hospitality, which employ large numbers of staff and provide important opportunities in particular for young people first entering the workforce, these measures can make hiring more difficult and more expensive.
"These are hard-working businesses that have shown real resilience, but many are operating on very tight margins. The last thing they need now is a new holiday tax that could reduce visitor numbers and make it harder for them to grow, invest and create local jobs."