The Notebook: Sir Rocco Forte on the hated tourist tax, counteracting climate hysteria and Boris Johnson’s legacy voices of business The Notebook is a column where interesting people say interesting things. Today, it’s hotel industry giant Sir Rocco Forte, chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels My hotels in Italy, Germany and Belgium are booming. But occupancy in London is not what it was last year nor what we saw pre-pandemic. Official statistics bear this out, showing [...]
I’d never normally protest, but Sunak is bleeding the tourist economy dry sir rocco forte Sir Rocco Forte and a host of other business leaders are protesting over the tourist tax today. He explains why.
Saudis take 49 per cent stake in Rocco Forte’s luxury hotel chain HOSPITALITY Hotel chief Sir Rocco Forte has sold 49 per cent of his eponymous hotel chain to the Saudi Public Investment Fund
Burberry shares plunge as it blames tourist tax for luxury slowdown November 16, 2023 Burberry hit out at the government's decision to scrap the tourist tax and revealed a six per cent loss year-on-year in profit.
Why are some of London’s wealthiest business owners protesting? November 1, 2023 Some of London’s most high profile retailers and business owners took to the streets of luxury shopping district Savile Row this morning.
Top Tory donor says he won’t give Conservative party any more cash April 16, 2023 Top Tory donor and hotel mogul Sir Rocco Forte has said he won’t hand over any more cash to the Conservative Party. Speaking to GB News, the businessman, who founded the world famous Rocco Forte hotel chain, said the party no longer stands for anything he believes in and that he was “not a fan” [...]
Faberge boss eggs on UK to bring back tax-free shopping to lure back wealthy tourists August 3, 2023 The boss of Faberge has joined calls for the UK to scrap the so-called ‘tourist tax’, which a new study has claimed is costing the UK over £10bn a year. Faberge chief Anthony Lindsay has urged for the return of tax-free shopping after a recent study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) [...]
Spring Budget 2024: Business leaders livid ‘overwhelming’ case for one tax cut didn’t land March 6, 2024 Bosses, including the chief of Marks and Spencer and the head of British Airways, have reacted with fury this afternoon, following the Chancellor’s snub of the tourist tax.
Harvey Nichols boss warns tourism tax is hurting UK economy May 22, 2023 The boss of Harvey Nichols has warned that the so-called ‘tourism tax,’ created by the scrapping of tax-free shopping in 2021, is having a significant impact on the wider British economy. Chief executive Manju Malhotra told The Times that the tax was affecting not just retailers that benefit from international visitors, but the “entire ecosystem [...]
Pressure mounts on Sunak over planned six per cent rise in corporation tax February 20, 2023 Prime minister Rishi Sunak is facing down the prospect of a rebellion over next month’s budget as renewed pressure mounts over a planned increase in corporation tax increase. Seven top Tory backbenchers and business owners including Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin have urged Sunak and chancellor Jeremy Hunt to scrap the planned six per cent rise. [...]