Britons should face higher holiday taxes when travelling to EU destinations if the UK votes for Brexit later this month, according to consumers in France and Spain.
A survey of UK and European members of the public by travel deals website Travelzoo found 40% of people in France and Spain thought it would be fair for British holidaymakers to face higher tourist fees, such as increased city taxes, if the UK votes to leave the EU on June 23.
The poll also found more than a quarter of UK travellers (28%) are concerned that withdrawal from the EU could increase the price of their holidays. Even more of a concern to Brits is that Brexit would “reduce the ease and flexibility” of travelling around EU member states, with 56% admitting that this was a worry.
Other concerns include 25% of UK consumers who fear that insurance costs will increase, while 20% worry that their level of health cover in EU countries would be reduced by no longer being entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
When in roam
Nearly one quarter (24%) of Brits also believe mobile roaming charges could rise if EU roaming regulations no longer applied to UK residents.
Travelzoo’s survey found the vast majority of consumers in France, Germany, Italy and Spain – around 70% – wanted the UK to stay in the EU.
The poll also looked into the potential impact of Brexit on inbound travel to the UK from major EU source markets and revealed that it could potentially cost the British tourism industry as much as £4.1 billion per year in lost visitor spending.
Around one-third of consumers in Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as 24% from France, said they would be “less inclined” to visit the UK following a Brexit vote, while 40% of those from other EU countries feared Brexit could make UK holidays more expensive.
More surprisingly, a vote for Brexit may even put off visitors from North America with 12% of US consumers and 10% of Canadians saying they would be less likely to visit the UK following a “Leave” vote.
Another finding was that 22% of respondents were worried beaches in the UK could become more polluted if the strict EU regulations on beach quality no longer applied here.
Willing to pay more
The Travelzoo survey of more than 2,000 British residents found 46% wanted the UK to stay in the EU compared with 40% supporting Brexit – but crucially 14% have yet to make their minds up. Of those backing Brexit, 61% said they would be willing to pay more for holidays if that was the price for an independent UK.
Travelzoo’s UK managing director Joel Brandon-Bravo said: “Our neighbours in Europe clearly don’t want the UK to leave the EU, and the impact of this sentiment could translate into a significant drop in bookings to the UK from the largest European countries.”
John Fletcher, pro vice-chancellor at Bournemouth University and editor- in-chief of the International Journal of Tourism Research, added: “It’s likely that the net result of Brexit will be significantly negative for the UK economy.”
Travelzoo surveyed around 5,000 customers across France, Spain, Germany and North America. Separate independent research was also commissioned from Atomik Research, which surveyed 2,004 UK consumers and 1,003 in Italy.
