The UK has a new minister for tourism following the Government’s reshuffle this week.
Shaun Woodward, MP for St Helens South, has replaced James Purnell, who has moved to the Department of Work and Pensions after just a year.
Woodward, a former Tory MP and Conservative communications director, defected before being elected for Labour in 2001. He previously worked in the Northern Ireland Office.
As minister for creative industries and tourism, his role, which encompasses broadcasting, film, alcohol entertainment licensing, the press, IT and science, has been criticised in the trade for being too wide-ranging.
However, VisitBritain head of government of affairs Bernard Donoghue said: “We’re delighted. We expect the same amount of attention as we had from James Purnell, if not more.”
VisitBritain is part of the Creative Industries Taskforce set up by Purnell to encourage growth in local attractions, events and theatre. Donoghue said: “We’ve been working closely with the BBC, helping to promote Britain overseas.”
The first item on the minister’s desk will be a 2012 Olympics tourism strategy document, scheduled to go out for consultation in six weeks.
Industry lobby group the Tourism Alliance hopes Woodward will address some of the underlying problems in the sector.
Policy director Kurt Janson said: “The Olympics is a one-off event and we have ongoing problems with the £18 billion tourism deficit and the level of taxation. There are long-term structural matters that need to be addressed. Britain is less competitive than it should be.”
The Tourism Alliance will be seeking an early meeting with the minister.
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