Travel companies to advise government on UK tourism

Twenty travel companies and organisations have agreed to make up an advisory body to help the government support the UK tourism industry.

The first meeting of the Tourism Advisory Council is being held today (Thursday) and will meet three times a year.

The work of the Council will also feed in to the newly reformed inter-ministerial group on tourism. This will see ministers from across government meet to discuss ways to support the industry.

The advisory council comprises: Travelodge, Tourism Alliance, Hand-Picked Hotels, Eastnor Castle Estates, Arora International Hotels, Barcelo Hotels UK, Number One Hotels, Southwest Regional Development Agency, VisitBritain, VisitEngland, Eurostar, Bourne Leisure, Virgin Atlantic, Park Resorts, VisitScotland, Hoeseasons, Welsh Assembly Government, VisitLondon, Centre Parcs, British Airways.

Tourism minister Barbara Follett, who is chairing the council, decided to convene the group of high level executives after January’s tourism summit, where the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of the industry to the UK economy.

It was also a recommendation in VisitBritain’s ‘British Tourism Framework Review.’

The council will provide direct regular contact between government and the industry, to identify how ministers can support the sector through the economic downturn and provide a “flexible and collaborative response to promote future success”.

Follett said: "By working together the British tourism industry can emerge from this economic downturn stronger than ever.

“The advisory council has a vital role to play because it will provide government with the timely, sector specific intelligence that will allow us to direct help and advice to the areas that most need it.

"With over 1.4 million jobs in the British tourist industry, we must do all we can to support it through the good times and the bad."

by Phil Davies