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Government announces members of new Visitor Economy Advisory Council

21 figures from the transport, hospitality, and visitor attraction sectors met for the first time this week to help advise the government on its goals for increased tourism

The government has announced the members that will make up its new advisory group on the visitor economy.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s ‘Visitor Economy Advisory Council’ includes 21 representatives from the travel, hospitality, and visitor attraction sectors. Figures from British Airways, VisitBritain, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Trainline are among its members.

The group is to be co-chaired by Tourism Minister Sir Chris Bryant and Karin Sheppard, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director for Europe.

The group met for the first time on Monday, and will inform the government’s forthcoming National Visitor Economy Strategy. It discussed the sector’s performance across domestic, international and outbound markets.

The group is hoped to help drive the government’s previously announced ambition for the United Kingdom to welcome 50 million international visitors per year by 2030.

Tourism Minister plans new visitor economy council and 50m UK visitors

Sir Chris Bryant said he hopes the group will increase cooperation between the government and the tourism sector, “building investment, improving visitors’ experience and enabling the sector to grow.”

He said the council will also discuss ways to attract more visitors to attractions outside of London “A key part of the government’s growth strategy for the tourism sector is increasing visitor numbers outside of London,” he said.

Full membership of the Visitor Economy Advisory Council

Joss Croft OBE, Chief Executive Officer, UKInbound
Sean Doyle, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, British Airways
Fiona Eastwood, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Merlin Entertainment
Paul Flaum, Chief Executive Officer, Bourne Leisure
Jody Ford, Chief Executive Officer, Trainline
Dr Sarah Green OBE, Chief Executive Officer, NewcastleGateshead Initiative
Sir Loyd Grossman CBE, Chair, The Royal Parks
Andy Harmer, Chief Executive Officer, CLIA
Dame Irene Hays DBE CBE DL, Chair and Owner, Hays Travel
Andrew Leveson, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Shakespeare Company
Fiona MacConnacher, Head of Public Affairs UK & Ireland, Booking.com
Kate Nicholls OBE, Chief Executive Officer, UKHospitality
Ken O’Toole, Group Chief Executive Officer, Manchester Airports Group
Richard Parker, Mayor, West Midlands Combined Authority (joint member)
Neil Rami, Chief Executive Officer, West Midlands Growth Company (joint member)
Jeremy Rees, Chief Executive Officer, ExCel London
Kate Shane, Managing Director, Blackpool Council Leisure Portfolio
Karin Sheppard, Managing Director Europe, IHG Hotels and Resorts
Julia Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, World Tourism and Travel Council
Shaon Talukder, Chief Executive Officer, Geotourist
Patricia Yates (Observer), Chief Executive Officer, VisitBritain, VisitEngland