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Rocketing costs of coming to the UK threaten tourism and trade, more than 90 leading bodies have warned. Hikes in the cost of getting permission to set foot in the country risk stopping overseas visitors spending in the nation’s pubs, restaurants and high streets and may drain cash from accommodation and attractions, according to some of the country’s most influential organisations.

The cost of a two-year visitor visa is expected to increase from £475 to £506; the fee for electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for visa-exempt visitors is due to rise from £16 to £20. Groups including Airlines UK, Airports UK, the British Beer & Pub Association and the Road Haulage Association have sounded the alarm, writing to Home Secretary Mahmood with a grave warning against trying to wring cash from international visitors.

Urging her to put the plans into reverse, they said in a statement: “These planned increases would leave a two-year visitor visa up 40% in four years and the ETA by 100% since its roll out at the end of 2023. Put simply, this is unsustainable, runs counter to the Government’s welcome ambitions to boost international visitor numbers, risks stifling economic growth and placing our embattled hospitality, travel and tourism sector under further strain.

“International visitors have a choice, and the UK already has some of the highest entry costs in the world. These price increases further erode our competitive [edge], putting at risk our export growth and spend by international visitors in our pubs, accommodation, attractions and high streets across the UK.”

The signatories warn the plans put the growth of a sector “worth £147billion” at “serious risk”.

Joss Croft, chief executive of UKinbound, the trade association for the inbound visitor economy, said: “At a time when pubs and hospitality businesses are under immense pressure, attracting more international visitors is one of the fastest and most effective ways to drive spending back onto our high streets. It is simply wrong to assume that continually increasing prices has no impact. As the signatories to this letter show, international visitors play a vital role in underpinning businesses and driving growth across the UK, from our high streets to our pubs.”

Sutton and Cheam MP Luke Taylor, who chairs a cross-party group on the future of aviation, travel and aerospace said: “It is baffling that the Government’s response to this growth is to make the UK an ever increasingly expensive place to visit and to add to the competitive disadvantage our travel sector already battles.”

A Government spokesperson said: “The increase to Electronic Travel Authorisation fees will reduce the reliance on taxpayer funding of the migration and borders system.”