TA Weekly Update – 5th March 2026

World Events and Impact on Travel

In this newsletter:

From Eddy Leviten, Executive Director

We took a break last week and looks what’s happened. Leeds United lost a night game at home. Oh, and a major conflict in the Middle East.

It’s also March already and we are less than two weeks out from the event of the year, Tourism Insights 2026. We have an amazing array of speakers and there will be ample opportunity to debate and ask questions. We are also planning to add a short session looking at current global events to see what might change for UK and outbound tourism.

The Parliamentary Reception on 18th March is also shaping up well. We have confirmed Steph Peacock to speak as well as Nigel Huddleston and we are getting good responses from MPs and Peers. Tickets for Tourism Insights 2026 are on sale and this also includes an invite to the Reception. If you want to be part of the conversation make sure you get your tickets.

As well as my usual engagements I attended UKInbound’s Annual Convention in Manchester, where 440 attendees networked, learned, and, crucially, did deals and signed contracts. It was great to see the business of tourism in action and to hear from people engaged in inbound tourism and services supporting the sector. There was also a fancy dress party where I relived my Madchester days.

Eddy

See Event

Political Updates

Overnight Visitor Levy in England

The Government consultation on a new mayoral power to introduce an overnight visitor levy in England ran from 26 Nov 2025 to 18 Feb 2026 and is now closed. A Government response is awaited.

(Consultation portal mirror) (consult.communities.gov.uk)

Parliamentary scrutiny (affordability): Afzal Khan MP asked what assessment has been made of the potential impact of a levy on the affordability of domestic holidays for families, and whether lower-income households would be protected from extra costs.

(UK Parliament)

LGA position: The Local Government Association supports the levy as part of fiscal devolution and local reinvestment, and has published both a briefing and a news statement following the consultation.

(Local Government Association) (Local Government Association)

Campaign and stakeholder activity

Stop the Holiday Tax (UKHospitality)

UKHospitality continues to campaign publicly against the proposed levy and has published a campaign hub and supporting materials.

(stoptheholidaytax.uk)

Read More

TA continuing engagement on this issue:

Took part in a roundtable organised by UKHospitality with Dan Tomlinson, Treasury Minister, and Steph Peacock, Tourism Minister, along with officials from MHCLG, Treasury and DCMS. UKH members were clear in their opposition to the OVL and expressed concerns about the impact on business investment and jobs as well as on individuals and families, including low income families. Dan was keen to understand more about how an implemented OVL might work in practice but time was limited. Officials are taking forward the TA suggestion to have meetings with businesses to explain the business models in accommodation to understand where the administrative, regulatory, and financial/taxation pinchpoints are and might be. TA is talking to officials next week to get this set up.

2. Next Mayoral call is with Andrea Jenkyns, Greater Lincolnshire, next week.

3. Meetings with MPs across parties being arranged.

Member action: Please continue to let me know of any contact made with Mayors, Ministers, MPs/Peers, and officials on this issue so we can keep a track and also ensure we are coordinated.

Culture and Place

Cultural venues repair funding gap

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has written to the Culture Secretary citing DCMS-commissioned research that points to a reported funding deficit of around £2bn, within £7bn total works and £3bn urgent works for cultural venues (theatres, museums, galleries, performing arts venues). (Committee letter PDF) (DCMS publication)

Read More

World Events and Impact on Travel

Middle East conflict disruption and travel advice

The FCDO has updated travel advice, including a move to advise against travel to all areas of Lebanon, reflecting the worsening regional security situation. (GOV.UK)

Reuters coverage of the FCDO update

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published passenger guidance on rights and next steps where flights are disrupted due to the Middle East situation, including the practical implication that fixed-sum compensation is unlikely where disruption is treated as “extraordinary circumstances”, while care and rerouting rights still apply.(CAA)