This deal is testament to what can be achieved by working in partnership and we would like to thank all of you who have been involved. It represents more than two years of hard work, commitment and determination from the tourism industry which came together with one voice, getting behind the bid to build consensus on ideas for the future and offering commitments that align with the five key pillars of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy.
Highlights of the deal are:
- ‘Ideas’ - industry and the BTA will work together to create a new independent tourism data hub which will help the sector to better understand visitor preferences in real time.
- ‘People’ - Industry will create an additional 10,000 apprenticeship ‘starts’ a year by 2025; a £1 million recruitment and retention programme; and increasing in-work training and development of new T-Levels.
- ‘Infrastructure’ - Industry will continue to invest in accommodation – developing an additional 130,000 bedrooms by 2025 – and attractions and innovative products. Government will make travel to and around the UK easier for tourists with the development of its maritime and aviation strategies as well as a number of policy developments.
- ‘Place’ - piloting up to five new Tourism Zones, supported by central government and a biddable funding process, to drive visitor numbers across the country, extend the season and to tackle local barriers to tourism growth. Joint working to ensure support for the Government’s ambition to make the UK the most accessible tourism destination in Europe.
- ‘Business Environment’ - launching a Business Events Action Plan 2019-25 to make the UK the leading destination for business events in Europe.
Find out more about the Industrial Strategy.
