Committees

Promoting Britain abroad

Inquiry

Tourism is an economic, cultural and social asset. Although it is a devolved matter—England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London all have independent tourism bodies—all five organisations work closely with VisitBritain, the national tourism agency. VisitBritain is responsible for marketing Britain worldwide and developing Britain’s visitor economy. 

In 2019, inbound tourism to the UK was worth approximately £28.4bn and in ‘usual times’ the sector as a whole employs 4 million people. However, as last year’s ‘Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors’ Report and figures released by VisitBritain highlight, tourism has taken a huge hit as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. Inbound tourism spend fell to £6.2bn in 2020, a decline of 78% on 2019 results. It is currently forecast that in 2021, just £5.3bn will be spent by inbound tourists.

In June 2021, the Government announced its ’Tourism Recovery Plan’ which seeks to recover domestic overnight trip volume and spend by the end of 2022, and inbound visitor numbers and spend by the end of 2023. Other aims include building back a more resilient industry and ensuring that the sector’s recovery benefits all nations and regions.

As well as considering the recovery of the UK as a holiday destination for international travellers, the inquiry will look at how the UK promotes itself overseas, its position as a ‘soft power superpower’ and the role of culture and heritage in the UK’s position on the global stage.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Thursday 6 January 2022.

Upcoming events

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Past events

Tuesday 5 July 2022
9:30am Private
11:15am Public
Oral evidence session 5 July 2022
What next for the National Lottery? - Oral evidence
10:00am
  • Chris Philp MP (Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy at Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
  • Ben Dean (Director of Sport, Gambling and Platinum Jubilee at Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Promoting Britain abroad - Oral evidence
11:15am
  • Nigel Huddleston MP (Minister for Sport, Tourism, Heritage and Civil Society at Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Tuesday 21 June 2022
9:30am Private
10:00am Public
Promoting Britain abroad - Oral evidence 21 June 2022
10:00am
  • Patricia Yates (Chief Executive at VisitBritain)
  • Nick de Bois CBE (Chair at VisitEngland Advisory Board)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Tuesday 29 March 2022
9:30am Private
10:15am Public
Promoting Britain abroad - Oral evidence 29 March 2022
10:15am
  • Nick Brooks-Sykes (Director of Tourism at Marketing Manchester)
  • Gills Haigh (Managing Director at Cumbria Tourism)
  • Allen Simpson (Managing Director at London and Partners)
11:15am
  • Kash Bennett (Managing Director at National Theatre)
  • Jessica Koravos (President at Really Useful Group)
  • Jamie Njoku-Goodwin (Chief Executive at UK Music)
  • Geoff Taylor (Chief Executive at BPI)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Tuesday 8 March 2022
9:30am Private
10:00am Public
Promoting Britain abroad - Oral evidence 8 March 2022
10:00am
  • Ross Baker (Chief Commercial Officer at Heathrow)
  • Paul Barnes (Chief Executive at Association of International Retail)
11:00am
  • Joss Croft (Chief Executive at UKinbound)
  • Kate Nicholls OBE (Chief Executive at UK Hospitality)
  • Kurt Janson (Director at Tourism Alliance)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

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