Industry representatives have criticised the Government’s decision to increase the cost of a passport by 30% to £28.
The increase is to fund improved services after last summer’s chaos when the backlog for new passports reached 500,000. From December 16, an adult 10-year passport will cost £7 more, at £28, while a child’s passport goes up £3.80 to £14.80.
ABTApresident Steven Freudmann said:”This significant rise in passport fees will almost certainly deter some people from applying and they will be unable to enjoy a trip overseas.
“This is likely to hit low-income families hard since children are now required to have their own passports.”
Federation of Tour Operators secretary-general Alan Flook said the increase was bound to have some impact on numbers travelling.
“We are not happy about it and it is particularly unfortunate coming after the problems in the summer,” he added.
The Council of Travel and Tourism chairman Bill Gibbons said:”The Passport Agency consulted us on the increase and we advised them strongly against it. It is an extra tax on the traveller.”