UKinbound has welcomed the appointment of Oliver Dowden MP as the UK’s new secretary of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Nigel Huddleston MP (pictured) as the new tourism minister, but has said pressing issues need to be addressed.
UKinbound CEO Joss Croft said: "In 2018, the inbound tourism industry generated nearly £23 billion of export earnings for the UK economy but the industry still needs the government to continue its intervention and support, if it is to advance its delivery of world class experiences for international visitors and deliver jobs and growth across the whole of the UK.
"There are some significant challenges ahead this year as the industry copes with the impact of the coronavirus, and the concerns of industry to resource businesses after 31 December.
"It is vital that the Government’s new immigration policy allows tourism and hospitality businesses to have continued access to overseas nationals with foreign language skills, and to help plug labour shortages across the UK in key tourism hotspots, ensuring businesses can grow."
