Ryanair is calling on the government for the abolition of Air Passenger Duty, claiming the £10 tourist tax is nothing short of ” tourism suicide”.
A spokesman said: “This £10 tourist tax is nothing short of tourism suicide as the UK government will lose over 10,000 jobs and more than £2.5 billion in tourism spend this year alone.

“The government must follow the example of their Belgian, Dutch, Greek and Spanish counterparts by immediately scrapping their stupid and regressive tourist tax in an effort to avoid any further devastation to tourism and jobs.

“Tourism is one of the UK’s most important industries and employers. It responds quickly to price increases.

“The government’s £10 tourist tax is making UK an uncompetitive destination and they must act now to save vital tourism”.

If things continue on the downward spiral of the last five months it is estimated that the UK economy will loose over 10 million passengers, over 10, 000 airport jobs and over £2.5 billion in tourism in 2009 alone.
To avoid this plus the Government looking at £350million loss in VAT receipts, Ryan air are strongly urging the UK to follow in the footsteps of its neighboughs.
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