Butlin's boss named as new Cut Tourism VAT campaign chaiman

King said a key focus of his new role would be winning public support for the campaign, which is lobbying the government to reduce the rate of tourism tax from 20 to five per cent in the UK.

“The evidence behind the benefits of a reduction of tourism VAT to businesses, the national economy and British families has never been clearer,” he said.

“The first year of the new Parliament presents an exciting opportunity, but our real goal is to win the hearts and minds of the British public who don’t realise that they are being taxed harder than almost anyone else in Europe for simply going on holiday in their own country.”

Wason will continue to lead the group's economic research and remain a key figure in discussions with HM Treasury.

In his new role King will join the BHA Board of Directors, working with chairman Nick Varney, chief executive officer Ufi Ibrahim and the Cut Tourism VAT campaign team.

The group now has over 1,000 active hospitality and tourism campaigners and the backing of over 100 MPs from all political parties.

This week the campaign put renewed pressure on the government after a study revealed that lowering the tax could be worth £20bn to the UK over ten years.​

“The campaign is one of the BHA's top priorities and is attracting a ground-swell of grass roots support from hospitality and tourism businesses of all shapes and sizes right across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,” said Ibrahim.

“Dermot's leadership will cement our past success and will help to rally even greater support to champion the reduction of Tourism VAT in the UK.”