Over the last 20 years the tourism structure in England has been dismantled by consecutive governments. Tourist Boards have been replaced by a set of disparate organisations some of which are publicly funded and some of which are currently fighting for their own survival. Thus, the support for tourism at a local level is inconsistent if it exists at all. The national organisation Visit England does not have responsibility for marketing England at home unlike the National Tourism Organisations in the devolved nations.

Unless a new structure and strategy is put in place Tourism in England will suffer a double blow.  At a time when overseas visitors are diminished England will not have the right strategy or structure to protect the almost 3 million jobs supported by tourism.

The Tourism Society has written to the Chairman of the DCMS select committee requesting an inquiry into tourism structures in England post Covid-19, see email below and outlining the arguments in the attached document. We would appreciate your assistance and support in communicating the details of this inquiry request to your readers.

Please contact the secretariat for more information or to set-up an interview on membership@tourismsociety.org tel: 0203 696 8330.

EMAIL COPY TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DCMS SELECT COMMITTEE:

Dear Mr Knight,

I am writing to you in your capacity as chairman of the DCMS select committee with a request that the committee undertake an inquiry into the subject of tourism structures in England.    

The Tourism Society's recent online workshops to establish how best to support the UK's tourism businesses have revealed a common theme: the current structure in England is not conducive to an effective rebuild of the tourism economy post Covid-19. 

The pandemic's swift and severe impact on the tourism sector highlights the weaknesses from the lack of a well-financed and clear tourism structure in England. The disparity in resources between DMOs has led to a high variation in the level of support they can offer their businesses. Addressing this is crucial if we are to ensure that our industry can recover swiftly and sustainably.

To underpin the recovery of the economy we recommend the strengthening of the English tourism structure through high yield, sustainable growth. As our attached Call to Government paper explains, England's tourism sector needs much stronger leadership and better coordination if its economy is to recover, rebuild and become more resilient. 

If you have any questions please contact me either through the Society or my personal email address kevin.kaley@tourismukltd.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Kevin Kaley FTS, MIH
Chairman
Tourism Society
3 Port House,
Square Rigger Row,
London
SW11 3TY

Email: membership@tourismsociety.org 
Tel: 0203 696 8330
http://www.tourismsociety.org  

- ENDS - 

The Tourism Society is the professional membership body for people working in all sectors of the tourism and travel industry, in the UK and overseas. Since 1977, we have been providing tourism professionals with a forum to debate and exchange views, expertise and opinion through meetings and conferences.
President: Lord John Thurso
Honorary Fellows: Lord Tom Pendry, Sir Rocco Forte, Dr Taleeb Rifai, Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Harvey Goldsmith CBE, Simon Calder, Clive Jacobs, Peter Long, Christine Browne, and Liz Terry.