Luxury watch retailer Watches of Switzerland CEO, Brian Duffy, has urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to reconsider the decision of not reintroducing the VAT-free shopping scheme for tourists,

emphasizing that it was a significant missed opportunity for the UK. Duffy requested that the subject be given proper consideration and analysis, highlighting that various statistics indicate how tourism is flourishing in other countries compared to the UK.

Over 200 business leaders, including renowned brands such as Harrods, Marks & Spencer, and Burberry, have joined forces with the Mail's campaign to "Scrap the Tourist Tax," calling on the government to abandon the policy.

Duffy pointed out that the absence of tax-free shopping would discourage Chinese tourists from spending lavishly in the UK as they resume traveling to Europe following the lifting of lockdowns. While they might visit the UK for cultural attractions, their spending would be limited.

These pleas come in the wake of warnings from Walpole, the industry group for British luxury brands, which stated that the tourist tax is negatively impacting London's status as a premier shopping destination. Helen Brocklebank, CEO of Walpole, emphasized that tax-free shopping would not only benefit London but also provide a boost to regional manufacturing centers. She highlighted that items purchased in luxury stores like Harrods support jobs in remote areas, such as Elgin, Scotland.

While London serves as the country's shop window, the benefits extend nationwide, with various manufacturing hubs contributing to the industry's success. Photo by Photographer: Andrew Parsons, Wikimedia commons.