The boss of Harrods today warned that new plans by Brussels to relax tourist visa rules for high-spending visitors to continental Europe will hurt London.
European Commission officials want to ease visa restrictions for the 26 countries in the “Schengen Area” which covers all of western Europe, Scandinavia and parts of eastern Europe — but not the UK.
They are keen to woo big spenders from countries such as China, Russia and Brazil.
But Harrods managing director Michael Ward said this would “leave the UK further exposed”.
West End retailers fear London is losing out because tourists think getting a separate UK-only visa is “too difficult” to apply for as well as a Schengen one that gives them access to virtually all of the rest of Europe.
The visa relaxation proposals were outlined yesterday in London by European Commissioner for enterprise and industry Antonio Tajani at a meeting organised with the British luxury goods and services trade group Walpole. Tajani listed an 11 point EU action plan to help grow Europe’s luxury goods and fashion sector.
Other elements include improvements in education, training and apprenticeships to encourage manufacturing, creative and design industries across Europe as well as further controls on counterfeiting. The plan is part of an effort to grow the sector to reach 20% of the EU’s GDP by 2020.
