UK's loss is Europe's gain as overseas visitors put off by tourist tax


UK

By Garfield Myrie Published on 19/09/2024 - 7:07 GMT+2•Updated 7:07 Wealthy overseas tourists put off from shopping in the UK by its hefty tourist tax are visiting France, Italy and other European countries to benefit from Europe's continuing tourist tax breaks. European tourist destinations are enjoying a financial boost after attracting wealthy visitors away from the UK by offering a tax break for splashing the cash. Data from Swiss tourism tax refund company Global Blue suggests international spending in continental Europe has risen sharply since 2019. Analysts estimate the increase to be around 36%. But while the prospects look sunny for European destinations, the outlook is decidedly gloomy for the UK. New data suggests Europe is attracting big spending tourists New data from the New West End Company, a UK business lobby group representing London's premier shopping destination, found that, despite London's West End experiencing a 3% increase in international visitor numbers since the pandemic struck, tourist spending fell by nearly 12% in the first half of 2024, compared with the same period in 2019.