A WORCESTERSHIRE MP has urged ministers to create an urgent post-Brexit tourism plan - including possible VAT cuts and better budgets for the likes of Visit England.

Nigel Huddleston has voiced concern about the impact leaving the EU could have on the industry, warning that Britain cannot allow itself to be perceived as "less welcoming to foreigners".

The Conservative MP, who used to work in the travel industry for Google, said:

-VAT rates for the tourism industry should be "reconsidered"

- The Government needs to negotiate deals on flying "as a matter of urgency" and review the costs of processing multiple-entry visas

- The budgets of Visit England, Visit Britain and Discover England should be beefed-up to reduce the impact of Brexit

- A new push is needed to increase tourism out of London in areas like Worcestershire

Mr Huddleston was a backer of the remain camp before June's historic vote.

Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate, he said: "Our decision to leave the EU was a shock to many of our European friends.

"It could potentially be misinterpreted as meaning we're less welcoming of foreigners - nothing could be further from the truth.

"We must continue to show that we are a welcoming country.

"Any additional burdens or restrictions on travel to the UK from Europe will have an immediate and negative impact on visitor numbers.

"Visa-free access from Europe for short leisure and business trips is certainly the desired long term aim from a tourism perspective."

He also told fellow MPs 70 per cent of hospitality employees are EU migrants, calling on ministers to "provide reassurances" they will be unaffected by Brexit.

Tourism minister Tracey Crouch responded by saying: "Britain’s tourism industry is likely to see further benefits as travel to the UK becomes more affordable and attractive to EU countries and international markets, such as the USA.

"We should not forget the reason why tourism is so successful in this country, to put it simply we have a great deal to offer."

Tourism is worth £127 billion to the UK economy and sustains around 1 in 10 jobs across the country.

But more than 60 per cent of overseas holiday visitors are from the EU with France, the Germans and Italians most likely to come over.

Mr Huddleston, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, is involved in a cross-party group of MPs pushing for extra Government help for the tourism industry.