Overview
- The warning comes during a government consultation on giving Mayoral Strategic Authorities the power to impose overnight visitor charges, with no new levies in place yet.
- WTTC argues new local taxes would slow growth, curb job creation and erode competitiveness in a sector supporting about 4.5 million UK jobs.
- WTTC analysis forecasts UK travel and tourism GDP growth of 4.3% in 2025 versus 6.7% globally, leaving the UK about 36% below the global pace.
- The UK ranks 113th of 119 countries for price competitiveness in the WEF 2024 index, and WTTC says added fees would push price‑sensitive travelers to other destinations.
- Devolving levy powers could create fragmented rules that deter investment, so WTTC urges national measures to reduce visitor costs and to reinvest tourism revenues effectively.