UKinbound chief calls for ‘strategic reset’ in industry-government relations

Travel industry leaders called for a “more joined-up approach” across Whitehall and more openness in the engagement with government as Andy Burnham took office as Prime Minister yesterday.

UK inbound association UKinbound wrote to the new PM urging “a strategic reset” in the way the government approaches the visitor economy.

Chief executive Joss Croft called on the government to recognise: “Policy decisions taken in isolation can collectively undermine Britain’s appeal as an international destination.”

At the same time, Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said urged groups advocating on behalf of the industry to provide greater clarity on their aims and achievements.

Speaking on behalf of the UK Outbound Travel Group, Lo Bue-Said argued: “The issues on the new administration’s desk are substantial: modernising the Package Travel Regulations, managing the EU Entry/Exit System, improving UK–EU mobility, delivering a coherent tourism growth strategy and building tax and regulatory frameworks that encourage investment.

“All have real commercial consequences.”

However, she said: “Government rarely moves quickly, and a new one needs time to find its feet. Businesses understand that. What they value is openness.”

Croft pointed out in his letter that “every pound spent in the UK by an international visitor counts as an export” at a time when rival destinations around the world “are competing aggressively for visitors, investment and market share”.

He urged the government “to ensure policies across Whitehall support a shared ambition for growth rather than working against it”.

Croft noted “decisions on visas and Electronic Travel Authorisation charges, connectivity, destination promotion, skills, taxation and visitor levies sit across different departments [but] together they shape the cost, ease and attractiveness of visiting Britain”.

He called on ministers to recognise that “policy decisions taken in isolation can collectively undermine Britain’s appeal” as a destination

Croft said: “We congratulate the Prime Minister on his appointment and look forward to working with the new government.”

But he noted “international tourism is fiercely competitive” and insisted: “You can’t grow an export industry by making it harder and more expensive for customers to buy your product.

“We urge the government to take a more joined-up approach across Whitehall to ensure policies support rather than undermine Britain’s competitiveness.”

Abta set out its plans to support members in lobbying their MPs over the summer on Monday, noting that it has held discussions with more than 250 Parliamentarians in the past 12 months.