Hays Travel chair Dame Irene Hays, Clia UK chief Andy Harmer and British Airways boss Sean Doyle are among industry leaders confirmed on a new government tourism taskforce.
But the only other travel trade organisations represented on the Visitor Economy Advisory Council, which met for the first time yesterday (Monday), was UKinbound in the guise of chief executive Joss Croft and the World Travel & Tourism Council, represented by chief executive Julia Simpson.
Membership was announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as it highlighted how the £74 billion tourism industry has “huge potential” to support the government’s ‘Plan for Change’.
The council is co-chaired by tourism minister Sir Chris Bryant and Karin Sheppard, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ managing director for Europe.
Other members include bosses from Bourne Leisure, Booking.com, Trainline, Merlin Entertainments, Manchester Airports Group and UKHospitality.
The taskforce aims to boost collaboration between government and the tourism industry in a bid to kickstart the next stage of the sector’s growth.
The advisory council will inform the government’s forthcoming National Visitor Economy Strategy and work towards the government’s previously announced ambition for the UK to attract 50 million international visitors a year by 2030.
It will also focus on outbound travel “to ensure all tourists have the best possible experience when travelling”.
The group discussed the sector’s performance across domestic, international and outbound markets at its first meeting and how the council can support the government’s growth mission.
The council will look at ways to attract more people to other cities and regions outside London.
Harmer said: “I am delighted that the government has recognised that the cruise sector is an integral part of the UK tourism offer, playing a unique role in inward, outbound, and domestic tourism.
“I look forward to sharing our expertise in relation to tourism planning, responsible tourism, and innovation within the sector, as well as the commitment of the UK’s amazing travel agent community.
“A thriving cruise sector can contribute significantly towards the government’s aims of achieving economic growth through tourism.”
Sir Chris Bryant said: “The UK is one of the most visited countries in the world and domestic and international tourism are a key part of our economy. I want to build on this success and enable even more visitors to experience our fantastic culture and landscape.
“That is why I want to increase co-operation between the government and the tourism sector so that we can make the UK the best destination that it can be.
“That means building investment, improving visitors’ experience and enabling the sector to grow.
“By working together we can create jobs and drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change, while also providing fantastic holidays that showcase the best that our country has to offer.”