Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil has led calls for cut in ‘tourism VAT.’
Mr MacNeil hosted a meeting of Scottish MPs and leading figures from the country’s
hospitality and tourism industry about helping the sector compete more effectively
with rival European destinations.
Scottish hospitality industry leaders and MPs are asking the government to help make it more competitive with rival tourist destinations, particularly in Europe.
Industry leaders are campaigning for a lower rate of 5% on hospitality in the UK.
All but two 27 EU countries have reduced VAT rates to help the sector.
In the UK, it is still levied at 20% -
Mr MacNeil said: “The tourism and hospitality sector is an often undervalued industry that does not get the support and credit it deserves.
"A reduction in the VAT rate on tourism would provide a significant boost to tourism and jobs in Scotland."
In Scotland more than a quarter of a million people are employed in the hospitality industry. Visitors spend almost £5 billion annually.
Call for VAT cut on tourism
21 September 2015