The UK hospitality industry will unite to say 'No' to the proposed bed tax at the British Hospitality Association's 2006 Annual Luncheon next week.

There are now just a few places left for what promises to be the most important lobbying and networking event for the hospitality industry this year.

With the theme 'Put the Bed Tax to Sleep', this year's event will build on the growing campaign to oppose the tax being considered by Sir Michael Lyons's Inquiry into local authority funding.

For this luncheon, which will take place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Tuesday, 4 July, we have drawn on the support of H - The Hotel Magazine and event organisers the Media Pack.

More than 750 attendees are expected to attend, including representatives of the most prominent supporters of the anti-bed tax campaign, including Travelodge, the Tourism Alliance, and Caterer & Hotelkeeper.

Chief Executive Bob Cotton said, “The proposed bed tax is one of the most potentially damaging measures the hospitality industry has seen in recent years.

“At this year’s luncheon the British Hospitality Association and its guests will give the strongest indication to government yet that levying such a tax on a growing industry will not only have a negative impact on the industry’s growth, but also on the growth of the country as a whole.”

It is estimated that a bed tax of 5 per cent would increase this country’s total VAT to 23.375 per cent, the second highest in Europe, and could reduce inbound tourism by £220m and domestic tourism by £325m.

Demand for places at the luncheon has been very high this year, after last year’s difficult event which unfortunately coincided with the 7 July bombings.

Also planned for this year’s event is the Hospitality Live! Exhibition, the first ever industry suppliers’ showcase to be held at the Annual Luncheon.

The exhibition will open at 10.30am and run throughout the day, and all guests at the luncheon are invited to come down for a few hours beforehand to meet the exhibitors.

Please note that Lancaster Gate station will not be open on Tuesday, 4 July, so all guests travelling via the Central Line should use either Queensway or Marble Arch underground stations, and take a short bus ride or walk to the Royal Lancaster Hotel.

For more information, please click on the Annual Luncheon link on the front page of this e-zine.