Where to Ski And Snowboard - Travel companies warn that European holiday prices are set up escalate as a result of Brexit

Travel companies warn that European holiday prices are set up escalate as a result of Brexit

6th August 2018, by Amy Grealish

Government plans for Brexit could see the price of European holidays rise by almost a third

Government plans for Brexit could see the price of European holidays rise by almost a third and put thousands of British jobs at risk by forcing British companies to pay into overseas state social insurance schemes, resulting in escalating staff costs. Currently there are an estimated 25,000 UK nationals working in the EU within the seasonal holiday industry, whose jobs would be at risk with any of the Brexit scenarios currently in prospect.

A recent report from SBIT (Seasonal Businesses in Travel), which is an organisation representing over 200 British travel companies including many ski tour operators, conducted a survey of over 130 companies, the resulting conclusion highlighted fears that British holiday companies will no longer be able to employ their UK staff on the continent on UK terms – for instance paying tax and NI in the UK for the NHS – and will instead have to pay into much more expensive continental state social insurance schemes.

The companies surveyed reveal they have already been affected by Brexit uncertainty as they are posting 7% fewer British staff overseas this season. The loss of jobs will be predominantly amongst the young aged 18 – 24 who are the bulk of those employed in the sector.

Such changes could also result in the following:

Holiday companies facing a 58% increase in costs.

Holiday companies employing less staff from Britain – reducing job and training opportunities at home, especially for younger Britons and negatively impacting holiday experiences for millions of British tourists.

The closure or merger of smaller family-owned holiday businesses.

For more details, see

sbit.org.uk