Kay Buxton, Chief Executive of Marble Arch London BID, said: “Shopping accounts for 46% of all tourist spending, with 54% being spent on hotels, eating out, and visitor attractions so it is frustrating that the Chancellor has again ignored widespread calls to reintroduce tax-free shopping for international visitors.
“Independent research suggests that reintroducing tax-free shopping would have led to an extra £2.1bn being spent on shopping by overseas visitors, as well as £1bn on hotels, restaurants, and visitor attractions. The removal of tax-free shopping has damaged the international appeal of the UK for visitors, so this is another missed opportunity by the Chancellor, which would have provided a much-welcomed boost for the UK visitor economy.”