The UK Tier 2 visa is available to individuals residing outside the EEA (comprised of the EU plus Liechtenstein and Norway), plus Switzerland, who have been offered a skilled job by a "licensed sponsor" (employer).

The licensed sponsor then has to certify the applicant and assist in completing an application process that can take up to 3 months.

In a survey of UK 100+ tourism businesses by ETOA, 80% of respondents said the UK tourism industry would be less productive should the Tier 2 requirements be expanded to apply to EU nationals post-Brexit.

Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis is rumored to favor such a plan.

A 2012 report from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills indicates that while 35% of tourism workers were in "Elementary Occupations", another 27% were classified as managers, directors, senior officials, professionals or professional/technical associates.

So I think those running UK tourism businesses - and those responsible for the UK economy in general - have a right to be worried.