Prime Minister announces new plan to grow tourism

In an unequivocal statement of support for our industry, the Prime Minister has today announced the Government’s new 5 point plan to boost tourism across the UK, committing not only to promote the UK as a GREAT place to visit for international visitors, but also to expand and develop the offer to tourists to spread the benefits of its growth across the country. A new inter-ministerial group is to be formed with the aim of co-ordinating and aligning action across Government to ensure that Britain has the right infrastructure in place to make it easy for visitors to discover the best of what this country has to offer.

The group is to be headed by the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, and to include ministers from across Government, including the Department for Communities and Local Government, BIS, DEFRA, Home Office, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Ministers from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments will also be invited to join the group when relevant. It will focus on five key areas:

• A better co-ordinated sector
• Skills and jobs
• Common sense regulation
• Transport
• An improved welcome

The Prime Minister also revealed a £1 million ‘Rail for Tourism’ innovation competition, which will call for ideas to transform the travel experience for visitors to the UK and make exploring the UK by rail more attractive to tourists. The plan will be available on the DCMS website later today.

The plan and funding announced today are in addition to new funds announced in March to boost tourism in both the South-West and the North, for which VisitBritain is the principal international delivery partner – we are working closely with destination partners, airlines, ferries, tour operators and local businesses to ensure that international visitors aspire to explore Britain and can easily book our wide range of world-class experiences.

We share the Government’s commitment to encouraging visitors to venture outside London and are committed to working with you - our strategic partners, destinations and the tourism industry - to promote Britain’s amazing offer to visitors from around the world over the months and year ahead.