UKinbound has made a last-ditch plea for a cut in Air Passenger Duty in next week’s Budget.
The trade association which represents nearly 400 tourism businesses, appealed for a reduction in the air tax in a letter to Chancellor Philip Hammond.
It argues that a cut of at least 50% will reduce the tax burden on UK businesses seeking to maintain and expand new markets overseas.
The letter follows airlines, airports and trade associations making a collective call for APD to be reduced earlier tis week.
UKinbound chief executive Deirdre Wells said “A reduction in APD would be a clear message to the tourism industry and businesses across the UK that the government is committed to its vision of a Brexit ready Britain.
“Effectively a tax on trade, we need to signal to Europe and the rest of the world that the UK continues to be open for business.
“Tourism is the UK’s sixth biggest export earner and it’s imperative that our industry build vital trading partners post-Brexit to ensure the economy doesn’t adversely suffer.”
She added: “The government acted on concerns earlier this year when it confirmed a freeze on APD band B destinations, but this is not enough to safeguard our nation’s competitiveness in a post-Brexit environment.”