CLA Submission to the CMS Tourism Inquiry

The CLA’s response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s Tourism Inquiry argues that current government policy is failing to support the competitiveness and resilience of UK tourism, particularly in rural and coastal areas. High costs – including 20% VAT, business rates, labour pressures and proposed visitor levies – alongside poor transport, weak digital connectivity and restrictive planning rules are discouraging investment and limiting growth. The CLA calls for lower tourism VAT, business rates reform, greater investment in VisitBritain, VisitEngland and rural infrastructure, and planning reforms to support diversification, year-round tourism, and rural economic growth.