VISIT EXMOOR SAYS "NEW BED TAX WILL

IMPOSE A FURTHER BURDEN ON TOURISM PROVIDERS"

Chairman of Visit Exmoor, Ron Morrison-Smith, has written a strongly worded letter to Sir Michael Lyons, on behalf of the tourism industry in the area, objecting to the proposed new bed tax.

Mr Morrison-Smith points out that the tax would impose a further burden on tourist accommodation providers, many of whom are still recovering from the impact of foot and mouth disease. He says: “Tourism operators already contribute their business tax and visitors pay full VAT on their accommodation bills: this extra tax would impose a great strain on an industry which struggles to remain competitive. The net outflow of passengers using cut price airlines from regional airports is already damaging the industry.”

Tourism is one of the most important economic activities in the area and any extra burden on tourism businesses will be strongly opposed.

Mr Morrison-Smith said he was hopeful that Sir Michael would give serious consideration to the pleas of many tourist destinations before presenting his final report.

This issue is sure to be one of many debated at the Visit Exmoor AGM, which will be held at the Exford White Horse Inn on Thursday 28 September at 4.00pm. The guest speaker will be Chris Wikely, Managing Director of Quality Counts. All the Visit Exmoor Board Directors will stand down at the meeting and some will be standing for re-election. Any Visit Exmoor member who would like to become a Board Director should make sure that their nomination form reaches the Visit Exmoor office in Dulverton by 13th September.