Tourism minister pledges to amplify outbound sector's voice at government level
Gary NoakesThe government will invite more representatives from the outbound travel sector to join The Tourism Industry Council, the minister overseeing it has confirmed to TTG.
Sir Chris Bryant, minister for creative industries, arts and tourism, said he planned to revamp the committee, which liaises with government on issues affecting the industry.
Current membership includes Advantage Travel Partnership and Airlines UK, but it is otherwise slanted towards the inbound sector with no representation from the outbound tour operating community.
Bryant told TTG he would invite members of the UK outbound industry to participate: “We are thinking about reconstituting that," he said. "It would be illogical not to include them.”
He added he was considering renaming the committee to reflect this, stressing the changes would be made "soon".
The outbound sector has long faced criticism that it does not speak with one voice. “It’s still a bit more disparate than I would like,” Bryant said, adding he had not yet heard much from the outbound sector.
“I’ve not had big requests thus far,” he said, while adding: “My door is open – don’t build up your resentment until it bites you.”
Bryant said he recognised overtourism as being another issue for the outbound sector. He said he was keen to see countries spread tourist peaks by offering more travel in the shoulder season.
“I’m talking quite a lot to countries in Europe," he continued. "The last thing anybody wants on the beach in the Balearics is a demonstration shouting ‘no more tourists!’. I fully understand the desire for sustainable tourism.
“Sometimes you can do something about supply, but I’m not going to say – ’thou shalt not go to Menorca’.”
Bryant said his knowledge of the outbound industry stemmed from his father, who had built a successful coach tour operation to the Costa Brava after moving there from Wales.
“He did very well for himself after learning Spanish,” said the minister, who praised his father’s line of work for teaching him the value of learning a language and gaining experience working abroad.
He noted concerns expressed at WTM London from operators facing difficulties recruiting people with language skills, particularly now with barriers to working abroad in place following Brexit.
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