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Tourist tax for Cornwall?

June 17, 2011 By PJ Leave a Comment

Tax, tax, tax, it seems that all this country knows about is how to tax us to the hilt.

We have income tax, we have VAT and, if we want to escape the UK for a well-earned rest we have to pay the much-despised Air Passenger Duty, but now, if Cornwall council has its way, we’ll also have to pay for the privilege of taking a holiday in Cornwall.

Apparently, the council could raise as much as £25 million by charging £1 per night for visitors to stay in the county – that’s £56 for a fortnight’s holiday for a family of four, more than the cost of APD for a family of four to fly to Europe on holiday.

In the tough economic times we face, wouldn’t you think they would be welcoming tourists with open arms, not imposing a tax that may deter us from visiting? If the tax is introduced, you have to ask yourself how many families would choose to save £56 and stay in Devon, the neighbouring county?

Cornwall is a very popular tourist destination that sees the local population soar from 500,000 to five million over the summer period putting a strain on local resources. Yes, the roads are mega busy during the summer holidays, and it can be a nightmare driving to the West Country at the weekends, but does it really warrant the introduction of a tourist tax?

Surely a tax would be detrimental to the Cornish tourist industry? After all, many countries which have introduced some form of air passenger duty have scrapped it due to the negative impact it had on foreign visitors.

What do you think? Could Cornwall face falling visitor numbers if this tax is introduced. Would you be willing to pay the tax or would you just holiday somewhere else? And, if Cornwall does add a tourist tax, which counties will be next? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Filed Under: taxes and charges

The benefits of all-inclusive holidays

May 24, 2011 By PJ Leave a Comment

For the past couple of years we’ve heard plenty of talk about staycations, daycations, palidays and other holiday fads that try to keep a check on our dwindling finances, but could 2012 be the year of the all-inclusive holiday?

All-inclusive holidays have certainly increased in popularity over the past few years, and they are no longer just confined to luxury holidays or far-flung destinations.

Their popularity has grown to such an extent that First Choice holidays has recently announced that it is to become the first UK holiday company to offer all of its hotel and resorts on an ‘all-inclusive basis’.

According to the latest research from Mintel, in the five years between 2004 and 2009, the all-inclusive holiday market increased by 32%. In fact, all-inclusive holidays now account for a staggering 65% of First Choice holiday sales.

So what makes them so popular, and what are the benefits of choosing an all inclusive holiday?

Budgets
If your finances are tight, an all-inclusive holiday is a great way to set a budget and stick to it. You have the advantage of knowing at the outset what your holiday is going to cost as the price of an all-inclusive holiday usually includes: flights, in resort transfers, hotel accommodation, meals and unlimited local drinks.

Prices
The price of an all-inclusive holiday is now very competitive when compared to the price of a traditional package holiday, either self-catering or full board.

New case study research from First Choice shows that a family of four can save a whopping £511 on a week’s all-inclusive break when compared to a week’s bed and breakfast.

Currency exchange rates
You no longer have to worry about fluctuating currency rates, because everything is included in the price. It really doesn’t matter whether the price of sterling goes up or down.

Everything is taken care of
You can really relax on holiday knowing that you don’t have to worry about anything as all your food and drink is taken care of.

Family holidays
If you’ve ever travelled with children before you know how expensive it can be – the price of ice creams, snacks and fizzy drinks can soon mount up, but you don’t have to worry on an all-inclusive holiday – your children can have as much or as little as they want, and if they spill a drink, it doesn’t matter as they can easily have another, at no expense to you!

Watch out for:
Most all-inclusive providers only offer local drinks, so if your favourite tipple is a branded drink and you don’t like the local version, you will have to pay an additional charge for your branded version – sort of defeating the purpose of an all-inclusive deal.

You are restricted to eating in your resort / hotel, so if you wish to explore the local area and choose to eat outside your resort you will have to pay for your own meals.

Bookings
If you plan to take an all-inclusive holiday, check to see what is included in the price before booking. There are now different types of all-inclusive holidays: ones that include activities, ones that include late-night, out-of-hours snacks and some that even include branded drinks. Ask your travel agent or check online.

Filed Under: all-inclusive holidays

More bank holidays and an October public holiday?

November 22, 2010 By PJ Leave a Comment

The UK is in line for an extra bank holiday in 2011 and 2012, but could we possibly see a bank holiday in October and, if so, at what price?

Bank holidays are those precious few extra days we are given each year. Whether yours are tagged onto a weekend for that extended break, accrued as extra holiday or paid at overtime rates, they’re very much a welcome part of our year.

8 regular bank holidays
In England and Wales, we get eight permanent public holidays per year, in Scotland it’s nine, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have 10, but some of our European counterparts get even more: 12 if you live in Spain and a whopping 14 if you’re an Italian!

Extra holidays
Thanks to the royal wedding next year there will be nine – 29 April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding day will be a public holiday.

And, 2012 will also see an extra bank holiday too: the May Day bank holiday will be moved to Monday 4 June with an additional day added on Tuesday 5 June 2012 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

October public holiday?
There has long been a call for more bank holidays. Now it appears that rather than see a permanent additional day, we could see our May Day bank holiday moved to October.

The suggested move is seen as an attempt to boost UK tourism.

It is expected that having a bank holiday in October will encourage the public to take an extra holiday and stay in the UK.

Hmm, I don’t know about you, but I’m not convinced. By October the nights are getting shorter and the daytime temperatures are cooling down. Surely, we would be better off keeping the holiday in May when we are more likely to have better weather. By all means, give us an extra holiday, but don’t move the May one, please.

What do you think? Do you think we need another holiday in October? Could you see UK tourism benefiting from an October holiday, after all schools already have a half term in October? October or when? When would you rather take an extra day?

Filed Under: bank holidays