Bed & Breakfast News Sept-Oct 2016 (#42) | Page 20

20 | Bed & Breakfast News | Sept-Oct 2016

The Government’s

‘Tourism
Action Plan’

Last month the Government launched a new
‘Action Plan’ for tourism. In her introduction,
the Prime Minister, Teresa May, said:
“Tourism is vitally important to the UK.
The industry provides 1.6 million jobs across
the country. In 2015, we saw the greatest
number of overseas visits to the UK on record,
bringing £22.1 billion into our economy.
Domestic overnight spend also hit a record
high of £19.6 billion in England. In short, the
sector goes from strength to strength.
“But many overseas visitors never venture
beyond London, so over 50% of their
spending is in the capital. While we want
tourist numbers to remain high, we also
want the benefits of growth to be felt
across the whole of the UK.
“The British people’s decision to leave
the European Union creates many great
opportunities for growth, such as cutting
red tape and forging partnerships in new
and developing markets. Our stunning
scenery hasn’t changed, nor our centuries-old
monuments and cultural traditions. Together
with industry, the Government will work to
ensure that tourism continues to thrive as
negotiations on the UK’s exit progress. The end
goal is a Britain that is even more attractive,
accessible and welcoming to visitors.”

The Action Plan goes on:
With over 50% of international visitor
spend still in the capital, there is more to
be done to rebalance the sector, boosting
jobs and growth right across the country.
This report sets out how this Government
is working to do this through action on:
1) The tourism landscape: strengthening
co-ordination and collaboration
2) Skills: boosting apprenticeships and
attracting more people to careers in
tourism
3) Common sense regulation: examining
the scope for deregulation
4) Transport: making it easier for visitors
to explore by rail, bus and coach
5) A GREAT Welcome: driving continuous
improvements in our visa service