Extra Flight Tax To Hit 2008 Holidays
48970
Travel & Leisure
Oct 12, 2007
Tribune2
Extra Flight Tax To Hit 2008 Holidays
The writing is on the wall for low cost airlines operating out of the UK and other European countries as the Conservative Party - once a campaigner and implementer of lower taxes - has called for purchase tax to be introduced to domestic flights. The tax would add up to 17.5 per cent on to the cost of a flight from one British city to another, but while flights to the European mainland and popular holiday islands such as Menorca aren't specifically mentioned, one travel company believes the new policy will inevitably lead to higher fares for flights not just within Britain, but elsewhere too. The Tory policy review calls for the UK to be a leader on green growth, noting that it was illogical for flights to attract less tax than cars and trains, with David Cameron, the Tory Party leader, saying that much of the report would be included in their manifesto at the next British General Election, which could be up to two years away, but could be within weeks rather than years. 'It's not so much that we're convinced the Tories will win the next election and tax domestic flights', say the travel company, 'But by proposing new taxes on flights it leads the door open to the Labour Party, who are more likely to win, to use taxes on flights as a revenue raiser with no opposition from the Tories who are traditionally seen as the tax cutting party. We have no doubt that flights will be taxed a lot more in 2008 because the Tories have now made it a soft target for the British government of any political persuasion and the Treasury when they prepare their annual budgets.' Citing Menorca as an example, the company points to the holiday industry on the island being a major employer, and the Menorca map changing over the years as new resorts have been built to accommodate additional visitors. 'One of the other aspects of the report that is a worry for the holiday industry', continues the travel company, 'Is that new runways at Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports are all ruled out - all three airports serve London and the South-East of England. Any increased demand for example for Menorca holidays probably won't be able to be met without increased capacity, inevitably leading to a consequence of higher prices overall.' From the environmental lobby the Green Party described the proposals as 'fiddling around the edges when what is needed is urgent and radical action', adding that the Tory eco-taxes would hit the poorest in society hardest. Citing Menorca as typical of the areas that could be affected most by additional flight taxes, the travel company takes the view that any downturn in visitor numbers and the volume of bookings for holidays and hotels in Menorca would hit an island that relies heavily on tourism. The Spanish island is currently served by three UK airlines that offer scheduled flights, including one low cost carrier that offers cheap flights to Menorca. But there are a high number of holiday companies who offer chartered flights in the summer months, and these companies have helped reduced prices for holidaymakers visiting the island. Neighbouring island Majorca attracted most UK tourists for 2007, beating off competition from low cost destinations in Eastern Europe, and Menorca has also benefitted from an increase in visitor numbers. Despite their geographical closeness and being part of the same group of islands, the Balearics, Menorca and Majorca attract a different type of tourist from each other, and with Ibiza the third of the islands each has its own appeal, and each her unique selling points when compared to each other. Ibiza is known in Europe for her clubs and nightlife, with 18 to 30's and their high disposable incomes preferring the island to quieter Majorca and Menorca. A survey by the island's tourist board sprung a surpise for many in the hotels and holidays industry with a report showing of the three islands that Ibiza's visitors spent more on their holidays than those in Majorca and on holiday in Menorca. Majorca is a favourite holiday island for both the British and Germans, and as well as having a cosmopolitan feel to it offers both nightlife for the young with luxury hotels and villa holidays for older visitors. Plans are in place to build Spain's top luxury hotel on the island. The island of Menorca, also known as Minorca, is regarded as the quietest of the three holiday islands, and family orientated, with tourists just as likely to be taking a villa holiday with companies like James Villas as they are staying in a hotel or holiday apartment. The island is at her best in May and September when the island's roads are quiet but everyone is geared up for the season. The travel company concludes that all three islands would be affected detrimentally by any further increases in taxes on flights, and infrastructure improvements planned for the future might have to be reconsidered if the number of tourists visiting for a holiday comes down. Menorca will be watching the British political scene with an unusual amount of interest in the year ahead!
For holiday information about Minorca with a weather forecast and today's Minorca weather visit YourMenorca.net The hotels and holidays guide also includes flights and cheap holidays
send email to Tribune2
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
From a holiday island in crisis with tourists numbers dropping, Malta has turned her fortunes around. To the extent that The Times in London has listed the holiday island in a top 20 list of hot tips for places to visit - even including Malta under the de
Category:
Drawing ten million tourists a year, Andorra is one of Europe's most popular ski countries. But a lack of snow is jeopardising the investments made in infrastructure for this year's ski season.
Category:
Menorca is often overshadowed by her sister islands of Majorca and Ibiza. So the news of new flights to the island is welcome for the year ahead.
Category:
A high volume of tourists flying to Malta on cheap airlines are surprisingly spending as much on the island as passengers with the traditional airlines.
Category:
Increased taxes in the UK has seen the number of Britons moving to Monaco increase significantly in the last two years. The new arrivals have had an impact on the property market, with sharp price rises in recent months.
Category:
The holiday island of Majorca has a real cosmopolitan mix of tourists, from tenneagers to the elderly, from clubbing to luxury villa holidays. And Majorca has been chosen to be home to a new luxury hotel which will compare with the world's best.
Category:
Europe's longest running television soap opera, Coronation Street, has aired episodes fimed on the holiday island of Malta. Holiday and hotel enquiries have risen for the 2008 season.
Category:
Owners of second homes in Spain are facing a squeeze on several fronts. Higher mortgage payments on their first and second homes, and some might not be able to get rental income at all.
Category:
Andorra has opened a new snow park designed for families, improving the country's facilities for holiday visitors with children.
Category:
Holiday islands in Europe battle it out each summer for the British tourists week or two abroad. This year the Spanish island of Majorca has attracted the most, with a combination of low costs, quality accommodation and the weather winning out.
Category:
If you've never taken an exotic vacation, it might be time to take advantage of great airfare rates and visit the island of Malta, a land filled with history and mystery.
Category:
Spain and her islands have been popular for holidays for nearly half a century. And the Spanish are spending money to ensure they stay the favourite destination for the British.
Category:
Wealthy company owners will soon be visiting Monaco again for the superyacht show, a unique annual event in the yachting calendar. While millionaires and billionaires sip champagne and ponder buying a yacht that would be beyond the reach of mere lottery w
Category:
Ibiza is renowned as a party island, with some nightclubs rivalling London's reputation for clubbing. Official Statistics now show that Ibiza doesn't just out-party competitor islands, tourists spend more money than them too.
Category:
Andorra, a small European tax haven set between France and Spain has recorded an annual rise in property values of close to 20 per cent, with higher prices possible.
Category:
Prince Albert of Monaco has been busy around the world warning world leaders of impending doom because of global warming. But the Mediterranean temperature lapping around his Principality is showing no signs of warming...
Category:
Encouraged by higher holiday arrival numbers after new low cost flights from the UK started to arrive, Malta is now welcoming new flights from Spain.
Category:
In a surprise move, European tax haven Andorra has introduced Capital Gains Tax. An Andorra travel guide suggests that the move will hardly affect new residents, and that Andorra remains the best value for money tax haven in Europe both for property and r
Category:
Fernando Alonso in a McLaren won the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix, for the second successive year. Team mate Lewis Hamilton came second, with Felipe Massa in a Ferrari finishing third.
Category:
Other links at Travel & Leisure
The prime draw of Koh Samui is unquestionably its long stretch of tall coconut lined white sandy beaches. Most popular among the beaches in the area are Chaweng Beach, which is much famed for its exuberant nightlife.
Category:
Vacations can be hectic enough without adding the stresses of a bad car rental into the equation. The mistakes that the average traveler makes when renting a car can end up costing him or her money in the end. Wise travelers can avoid these mistakes by fo
Category:
A few resaurants that i think people would enjoy visiting whilst in florida.
Category:
The Seychelles with their endless white sand beaches, clear warm blue seas and the charming locals.
Category:
Kuala Lumpur, or KL, as it is fondly known, is the capital as well as the largest city in Malaysia. Located midway along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, at the meeting points of two significant rivers such as the Klang and the Gombek, Kuala Lumpur
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68252
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
