It’s a story that has remained relatively under the radar, trumped (quite literally) by the US president’s travel ban, which was announced on the same day that it emerged London mayor Sadiq Khan had endorsed a study into the levy.

The so-called bed tax would see visitors to the capital potentially paying up to a reported 5% extra on overnight stays – a move that could also reportedly include cruises and even Airbnb properties. It is still unclear as to whether this would apply to domestic as well as foreign visitors. But for its advocates it’s a quick and easy way to bring in a large amount of money – some news reports suggest the tax could rake in more than £100 million annually.

For its opponents, the move represents a retrograde step. This week, TTG talks to one of its harshest critics, UKinbound chief Deirdre Wells. She argues the tax would be a concerning move given the need to focus on promoting the UK as welcoming post-Brexit.

And if the controversial measures introduced by President Trump have taught us anything, it’s that a country’s image matters, as highlighted by our poll this week. As Brexit becomes a reality it will be key to ensure the UK continues to be viewed as a friendly place to visit. Introducing a levy for visitors to our capital may not be the most helpful step in achieving this.

TTG LGBT survey

One community to which Wells is proud the UK has remained welcoming is the LGBT market. It’s a sector TTG has also been championing through our TTG LGBT initiative, designed to ensure the travel industry is one that embraces diversity and inclusivity. We are now asking for your help in taking the pulse of the sector – whether you’re gay or straight we want to know your thoughts about how inclusive the industry is. Take our survey and make sure your voice is heard.