The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed publication of the Department for Transport’s document, Beyond the horizon — the future of UK aviation: next steps towards an aviation strategy. It outlines how the upcoming Aviation Strategy will help the UK’s important tourism sector, which supports the UK’s pubs and brewing industry.
The BBPA welcomes the government’s support for tourism and the clear desire to welcome visitors to the UK. The document considers the importance of infrastructure, connecting roads and rail to airports, and is very much part of the government’s strategy to encourage visitors to reach all parts of the UK.
Pubs are important tourist destinations, says the BBPA: more than half of tourists visit a pub while staying in the UK, and pubs are listed as the third most popular UK tourist destination.
Overseas visitors also drink our beer, want to try it again when they are home, and this is good for brewing exports, worth £595 million to the UK economy in 2017.
There is a section in the document on alcohol consumption at airports. The BBPA has been engaged with the Home Office for some time on this issue and supports the extension of the Licensing Act to airside. Of course, BBPA members who operate at airports all use the same high standards as they do in pubs across the country.
“We are helping airports interested in many of the partnership schemes run by the industry, but it is vital that airports and airlines work together to find the right solutions,” said a BBPA spokesperson.
The publication is clear that immigration at airports is a vital part of the country’s welcome and it must be ensured that the use of electronic entry continues once Britain leaves the EU.
The BBPA also welcomed the Budget consultation on APD and VAT on tourism as both are vital to our competitiveness in a world market.
