General Discussion

Western Morning News
Friday, September 05, 2008, 10:00

TOURIST industry leaders, hoteliers and MPs in the Westcountry have spoken of their outrage after Britain's hotels were deemed overpriced and of "worrying quality" by the minister responsible for promoting the country's tourism.

Margaret Hodge was accused of insensitivity over her criticism of the British tourist industry, worth an estimated £8.9 billion to the South West region, and she was rounded on for making comments that were "bordering on insulting".

Industry leaders also blamed her Government for pushing up hotel prices by raising taxes, making our hotels higher priced than our European counterparts.

Mrs Hodge, Minister of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, revealed in an interview with Which? Holiday magazine on Wednesday that she preferred to holiday in Italy.

She described hotels in this country as "expensive" and of "worrying" quality, while complaining that "only half the accommodation is kite-marked".

She also attacked the UK's general tourism infrastructure by labelling London's Tube at rush hour as "dreadful" and said that visitor sites such as Stonehenge – one of the Westcountry's most important historical sites – needed "sorting out". She said the facilities at Stonehenge "don't befit a World Heritage Site".

In a broader sweep at the industry, she was reported as saying: "Tourists need to be offered good deals and we have to make attractions better."

Her comments came as the Westcountry is already reeling from a washout summer which has cost the region an estimated £45 million in lost takings.

South West tourism leaders were angry at the Labour MP's lack of support for the British holiday industry. They have argued that the quality of hotels is constantly rising and that they are victims of new Government legislation which is adding to their costs.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of South West Tourism, said: "I find her comments insensitive and bordering on insulting, considering that we have one of the highest-taxed tourism industries in the world."

Hotels in the UK are charged 17.5 per cent VAT – more than three times the amount of many European countries. In comparison, France is taxed at 5.5 per cent, Greece 6.8 per cent and Portugal 5 per cent. Denmark is the only country in Europe that has more tax on tourism than the UK, at a massive 25 per cent.

As well as the direct impact of high VAT, Mr Bell accused the Government of contributing to rising hotel prices indirectly.

He indicated that soaring property prices applied to hotels too, and that tariffs had to be put up accordingly. Additional regulations surrounding fire, food and safety and employment also add huge costs for hotels.

He urged Mrs Hodge to address the Department of Culture, Media and Sport's select committee on tourism. Its report, published on July 10, criticised the Government's unfocused approach to the industry and urged it to make tourism a "mainstream issue", particularly with the London 2012 Olympics approaching.

"I hope she will pay attention to the select committee's report instead of criticising an industry that's had a tough year," Mr Bell said.

Ivan Curtis, general manager and director of the Headland Hotel in Newquay, described Mrs Hodge's comments as "completely out of order".

"I think all of us are incensed that this is the person who represents the tourism industry. She should be taking holidays in the country like her party leader and David Cameron," he said.

He believes that tourism has been considered as "non-essential" by consecutive governments and that it should be a top priority, particularly in the Westcountry. The region's MPs have also jumped to defend South West tourism and to point out that Mrs Hodge's words were unfair.

Nick Harvey, Lib-Dem MP for North Devon, said: "Given the current economic climate in Britain, her remark is particularly damaging. As minister for tourism, it is her role to support the sector and encourage its growth and development. Unfortunately, her comments only add insult to injury following the miserable summer we had suffered this year.

West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly MP Andrew George added: "Rather than complaining about it, she should be doing something." He said that putting business rates in the hands of local authorities, instead of setting them through Westminster, could also help the tourist industry.

MPs and hospitality workers insist that the region now offers hotels to compete with the rest of the world. Some have expressed the opinion that holidays in Europe are no longer cheap for British people, due to the weakening of the pound against the Euro.

Mike Coles, an independent travel agent from Exeter, sells holidays both at home and abroad. He said that three- and four-star hotels in England are no more expensive than Europe, and that there are still bargains to be had in the UK.

He said: "You could fly to Italy in the low season or come down to the Westcountry in June and find a bargain in both places. It is difficult to compare as they are very different kinds of holiday."

There is a bed and breakfast place at Dawlish Warren called REDROCK.
It is full of sh1t and you get charged the earth.
Macdonalds food bar, and ken tuckers chickenleg dishes are better, even the Warren chippy can knock spots off their grub.
But put a bit of shine on the place and foreigners think it is the bizz.

I heard it is about £800 a week high treason, sorry season.