In 2011, The British Hospitality Association merged its campaign for a reduced rate of VAT with that of Bourne Leisure Group and Merlin Entertainments Group. Members of the merged campaign include British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and attractions, the Federation of Small Business and the Tourism Alliance. The campaign is led by BHA. Graham Wason, a former Deloitte hospitality and tourism consulting partner who has been involved in the campaign since 1993, is the chairman.

The campaign argues that jobs will be created if the UK government were to apply a reduced rate of VAT to tourism services, as do most other EU countries.

VAT: Two stage strategy

The BHA campaign has adopted a two-stage lobbying approach:

• Stage 1: A reduced rate of VAT for visitor accommodation and attractions
• Stage 2: A reduced rate of VAT for out-of-home meals

The BHA is committed to achieving a reduced rate of VAT on all sectors of UK tourism and hospitality. However, this staged approach recognises the fact that in the present economic climate the cost to the Treasury of applying a reduced VAT on out-of-home meals is likely to be politically unacceptable, notwithstanding the greater potential for the creation of jobs.

We will shortly be holding a further half-day briefing session which will take you through the toolkit, as well as explaining our objectives and how we aim to achieve them.  Needless to say, throughout the campaign, we will provide you with regular news and updates.

In addition we will be undertaking further research and surveys and we are eager for members to take part and input their views.

Your support for the campaign – and that of others – will be a significant factor in achieving our objectives, to the benefit of the entire industry.

We urge you to register your support by e-mail us at vatcampaign@bha.org.uk.

Once you have registered we will keep you in touch with developments and update you regularly.  We will also let you know when the next Briefing Session is being held.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to registering your support.

Visit The Industry’s VAT Campaign on Facebook

Additional resources:

VAT Key Facts leaflet