Make London better: tax the tourists
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Robin McKie is the Observer‘s science editor
Posted: Wed Jun 21 2006 -
It‘s fantastic that people come from all over the world to gawp at our great city – but they don‘t half clog up the trains and buses. So why not make them pay for it?
Robin McKie
One of the joys of living in London is confusing the city’s myriad visitors. The humourist Gerard Hoffnung originally conceived the idea, and the tradition has been nobly maintained in Time Out’s own ‘Lies to tell tourists’ series in Big Smoke. Consider this gem: ‘The city’s brothels are easily identified by the large blue lamps outside. Step inside and ask about prices.’
Other ideas include advice that ‘the number of yellow lines at the side of the road indicate the number of rows of cars that can park there’; that visitors should ‘test the famous echo in the British Museum reading room’; and that tourists could gain priority in queues ‘merely by walking to the top waving their passports and shouting out their nationality’.
All helpful stuff, though my favourite was the deliciously anarchistic but simple suggestion that ‘in London, it is customary to shake hands with all passengers when boarding a train’. The vision of carriages full of commuters being glad-handed by genuflecting tourists is worth savouring.
AdvertisementIn fact, it is an idea whose time has come. Certainly, we desperately need to do something to discourage tourists from travelling on the tube. Every year, swelling numbers plunge into underground stations and on to tube trains in the rush-hour, each carrying a backpack, shoulder bag and large suitcase on wheels while asking incessantly: ‘Is this Cockfosters?’ (‘No, madam, it’s mine’ is, of course, the correct answer, as Max Miller fans know.) My journeys to work in summer take a quarter of an hour longer because London Underground is drowning below floods of tourists. Platforms are clogged by giggling German teenagers; ticket barriers are blocked by middle-aged Americans in their trainers and plastic macs; hordes of Japanese keep photographing themselves in front of tube maps that I want to consult; while half the population of Yorkshire (the ones capable of reading a train timetable) wander round concourses tripping up commuters with their trolleys.
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9 comments
Right, like no Brits come to the US and act in annoying manners in US cities. That said, most of the folks that I talk to in Boston that are from London are pretty nice. There are the few annoying "This city is a dinky ripoff of my wonderful London" people, but I give them directions to Roxbury, and walk on my merry way.
Next time try to chat with the "giggling german teenagers", the middle-aged americans or the japaneses. It might broaden a little your narrow perspective. You may even find out that nice or annoying people can be born anywhere in the world.
Surprising?
If you ever come to visit Rio de Janeiro, you are very welcome to use the subway or any other public transport. Most people will show hospitality try to help you with directions, even if you don't speak portuguese.
Not that I think someone so negative would ever appreciate an imperfect city that loves positivity...
I'm sure this is intended to be funny, but it isn't. London is already one of the most expensive cities for tourists to visit. Public transport is more costly and less reliable than in other capital cities of a similar size. Why should tourists pay more still? And it's no good saying that London is one of the glories of the western world and then complaining about the fact that people might want to visit. Incidentally, one of the great things about London is its openness and cosmopolitan character. Improving the underground system should be the priority, not turning tourists away.
pathetic article made to stir up indignation and make a fuss about its author.
If you do not like London (as such with its tourists, pbs etc as well). Then LEAVE.
No Taxation without Representation! (well, it worked for us the first time!)
Perhaps you might ask some of the thousands who are employed by the tourism industries if we are pulling our fair share.
Our city initiated just such a tax, now when our kids come home for a visit they stay in a neighboring town. Who won with that idea?
How utterly pathetic! I live in Central London and spend most of my time in the summer giving tourists directions to one place or another. Wherever possible I encourage them to walk, as this is the best way to see London. For heavens sake, Robin, stop whingeing, start walking and be happy to help. You never know - if you're in a strange city someone might do the same for you.
Would you, as an English, be happy to pay your fiver when coming back from holiday abroad?
My answer is..WE ALRADY DO PAY!
WE pay to come and visit a great city,yes,but every inch of the way We pay dearly for the pleasure many times over!! For a service in Hotels that are expensive,but of poor standard. Anywhere in Europe you gert a decent room for a lot less than in London. Just go to Paris instead,and live comfortably for a lot less, and get good style thrown in as a bonus! Underground travel is another sad story,clogged by giggling Germans you say,rather that than English yobs coming from a footballgame reeking of beer screeming their heads off.
Every Nationality is worth respect when we travel the world,getting to know the "outside"getting a little less ignorant as a resut. I love London,and will come back and continue to pay dearly for the pleasure,as i wellcome the Brittish to my far from perfect country,gladly!
But tax is no answer,it is an internal affair for each country to manage its infrastructure,and face to the ousideworld.
i need you paymet