Tourism inquiry: MPs to explore opportunities, challenges and trends in first oral evidence session
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee holds the first oral evidence session of its inquiry examining the opportunities and challenges facing the UK’s tourism industry.
The first part of the hearing, featuring Sunday Times chief travel writer Chris Haslam and blogger and content creator Vicky Philpott aka VickyFlipFlop, will give MPs the chance to explore recent trends in tourism and the consumer behaviour of both domestic and overseas tourists.
The committee is likely to explore how visitors choose destinations, the competitiveness of the domestic tourism sector and how the industry promotes itself, and issues relating to visitor experience.
The second half of the hearing will focus on tourism’s role as a driver of economic growth and regional regeneration. Chester Zoo’s chief executive Jamie Christon DL and hotelier and TV presenter Alex Polizzi are likely to be asked about the current health of the sector, cost pressures facing tourism businesses, and whether there is a case for targeted government support.
There could also be discussion about the relationship between accommodation and attractions, recruitment and skills in the industry and whether more could be done to attract visitors to destinations outside London.
With the Government setting an ambition for overseas visitor numbers to rise from 42.5 million in 2024 to 50 million by 2030, the committee launched its inquiry in April to consider whether current policies are supporting the growth, international competitiveness and long-term resilience of the sector.