The British Incoming Tour Operators Association (BITOA) has blasted the government’s immigration policy, calling it ‘inept’ for letting in thousands of migrants while genuine visitors are denied entry due to complicated visa requirements.

BITOA chief executive, Stephen Dowd, said: “Inbound tourism suffers through the Home Office’s lethargy, incompetence and misguided commitment to a political agenda rather than the needs of UK businesses and the British people.”

He has called for tourism minister, Richard Caborn, to work with the new minister for immigration, Des Browne, to ensure tourism’s concerns are addressed.

Dowd said that under current regulations, the UK would be unable to attract visitors from the fastest growing outbound tourist market in the world – China.

He said the Chinese market is growing by 22 per cent annually and by 2020, could generate 100 million outbound tourists a year, yet the Home Office is blocking Approved Destination Status (ADS) for China and refuses to join the EU-backed Schengen Agreement, whose members have already signed ADS for China.

He added that other emerging tourism markets like Russia and India were also hampered by ‘confused visa legislation’.

“The UK inbound tourism industry is happy to go head to head with our competitors for this valuable business,” said Dowd. “But to do so outside Schengen and without ADS is like fighting blindfolded with one hand tied behind your back.

“We need a coherent and enlightened visa policy that rightly protects the UK’s limited resources from illegal and predatory economic migrants, but which still supports the legitimate aspirations of the inbound tourism industry.”