Fortnum & Mason boss hits out over tourist tax that could cost businesses at least £2bn

Daily Mail26/12/20 “Paul Barnes, chief executive of the Association of International Retail, said long-distance tourists who travel from places such as China – which puts £1billion into shop tills – may instead skip Britain and head to Paris where the loophole remains. He said: “Non-EU visitors spend around £18billion a year in the UK. Only £3billion is on shopping, which … Read More

Bye, bye tax-free shopping

National Herald India18/12/20 “Madrid, Milan and Paris are rubbing their hands with glee at this self-inflicted wound,” said Paul Barnes, head of the Association of International Retail. “If we charge a fifth more for the same goods, international visitors will not hesitate to switch their city breaks to other countries”. Read the full article here.

Move to end VAT-free shopping for tourists ‘needs more scrutiny’

Telegraph04/12/20 Paul Barnes, chief executive of the Association of International Retail, said: “There is every chance that the £400m, they think they will be making will be more than wiped out … the moment you take away tax free shopping they will go to France or Germany.”  Read the full article here.

What is the tourist VAT tax and why is Duty Free allowance being cut?

Evening Standard03/12/20 Estimates by business bodies such as the Association of International Retail suggest that more than one million high spending tourists will be deterred from visiting Britain, or at the very least, reduce the number and duration of their visits. Read the full article here.