Prime Minister announces new plan to grow tourism
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.