Jowell's tourism plans to create £100bn-a-year industry

Plans to transform tourism into a £100 billion-a-year industry have been outlined by the Culture Secretary today.

The 'Tomorrow's Tourism Today' document, published as the joint tourism prospectus of Department for Culture Media and Sport, the industry, the regions and local government, sets out the key drivers for propelling tourism from a £76 billion-a-year to a £100 billion-a-year industry by 2010.

The plan also proposes ways for tackling the present £15 billion tourism balance of payments deficit - the excess of UK citizens' overseas spending on travel and holidays over domestic turnover.

Tessa Jowell said today that the government would work with key partners "to drive the tourism industry forward to even greater achievement in the future".

The Minister also announced the establishment of the Tourism Review and Implementation Group (TRIG). Chaired by Tourism Minister Richard Caborn, it will oversee and monitor delivery in four key areas – marketing and e-tourism; accommodation quality; workforce skills; and data – and report within 12 months.

Launching Tomorrow's Tourism Today at the Tourism Alliance's Summer Conference in London, Ms Jowell said: "Tourism is vital to our economic success, as well as fostering perceptions of Britain throughout the world.

"'Tomorrow's Tourism Today' will help us take this multi-billion pound industry to the next level, by setting out common objectives and action plans, with clear responsibilities for all."

She added: "In time it will help deliver ever more successful businesses, which provide a diverse range of experiences for discerning consumers, coupled with sustainable growth, spurred by industry and the public sector working in tandem to market the great attractions and events we have to offer."

The document, which is the result of consultations with the sector over recent months, also sets out the DCMS's role in advocating tourism within Whitehall and the European Union.

Tom Wright, Chief Executive of Visit Britain, said: "VisitBritain welcomes Tomorrow's Tourism Today, and in particular the clarity of how government, the public and private sectors need to work together to grow Britain's fifth biggest industry; to improve quality and skills; to drive up competitiveness; and to spread the economic benefits of domestic and inbound tourism as widely as possible."

Richard Tobias, Director General of the Tourism Alliance, said that the "pivotal role" of the private sector was "one that is shared by all sectors of the industry".

(gmcg)