FAWLTY Towers-style service in British hotels could lead to thousands of jobs being lost in the recession because visitors are being put off by poor service, the Government’s tourism chief has said.

Christopher Rodrigues, chairman of Visit Britain, said that while establishments had previously been able to “get away” with low-quality service, the time had come to attract as many tourists as possible.

Some hotels were still being dragged down by surly reception staff, typified by Basil Fawlty, pictured, and the failure to offer basic services, he said.

Visit Britain will launch a £6.5 million “value campaign” in April, aimed at promoting Britain as a country where visitors can get more for their money