The HHA welcomed today's publication of Smart Regulation and Economic Growth: Seizing the Tourism Opportunity

The Tourism Regulation Task Force, on which the HHA is represented, presented its report to Tourism Minister, John Penrose, calling for over 50 regulations which stifle tourism businesses to be abolished, consolidated, revised or amended.

Due to the wide range of hospitality and tourism businesses – over 80% of which are micro or SMEs – the difficulties and costs of complying with regulations are seen as major barriers to the growth of these businesses.   Heritage tourism alone contributes £20bn to UK economy and has important role to play in its recovery.

The Task Force has endorsed the HHA's recommendations including:

• Clearer guidance for Fire Officers on maintaining the character of a listed building and a derogation for small enterprises to allow owners and managers to manage the risk flexibly, reasonably and proportionately;
• Adjustment to the Use Classes Order and/or the General Permitted Development Order to allow tourism related development to benefit and a more liberal approach to alternative uses for heritage assets;
•  Revisions to the procedures for the UK visa regime to make it more competitive and Britain a more welcoming destination for tourists;
• Amendment to civil partnership and marriages regulations so that they no longer preclude the use of a building or room with a religious connection;
• Simplification of a whole suite of food and drink regulations;
• Amendment and simplification of the Licensing Act including the introduction of a de minimis level for low alcohol sales under which a full licence is not required ; 
•  Exemption to the Age Discrimination provisions of the Equality Act to allow accommodation providers to focus on particular age markets
• Development of guidance specific to tourism businesses to help them comply with health and safety legislation and ensure regulators act consistently and proportionately.
  
  The Task Group has also made a specific recommendation for a cross-cabinet committee to be established to co-ordinate government policies affecting the hospitality and tourism industry. This would address the problem of regulations that are introduced by one department conflicting with the regulations introduced by other departments which also have an interest in the industry.