Travelodge CEO Grant Hearn urged Prime Minister Tony Blair MP to abandon tourism tax proposals currently being considered by the Lyons Inquiry into local government.
Delivering 90, 000 customer petitions and 4, 000 signed letters from UK hospitality operators against bed tax to 10 Downing Street, he warned the Government that a bed tax would wipe £1.3billion from tourism trade putting 32, 000 jobs at risk.
Grant Hearn commented: "We have delivered a clear message to Government in advance of the Lyons Inquiry decision on 'bed tax' later this year. The industry is vociferously against it, consumers are against, both opposition parties are against it and most local authorities are against it because it simply won't work.
"'Bed tax' is a backward step for the tourism industry as it will price domestic and foreign visitors out of holidaying in the UK. We urged the Prime Minister to clarify his position as the instability caused by 'Bed tax' undermines everything the Government has been saying about the Olympics and tourism.
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For further information, please contact:
Greg Dawson, Travelodge, Te: 07921945778
Mark Hutcheon, ReputationInc, Tel: 020 7758 2818
Photographs are available
Notes to Editor:
- A Travelodge national survey of consumers reveals that 77% would be more likely to holiday overseas given the extra £100 cost of a bed tax on a week's vacation for a family of four
- UK tourism industry is worthy £87billion to the economy and employs 2.2 million
- The industrys 'No to Bed Tax' campaign is being led by Travelodge, VisitBritain, British Hotel Association, Tourism Alliance, VisitLondon and Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine