A new inquiry from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee will examine the future of the UK’s tourism industry, open to 18 May.
UK Parliament writes:
The inquiry, which will cover both domestic and international tourism, will explore how the UK promotes itself overseas, the role of culture and heritage in attracting visitors and how the UK competes with other destinations. The Office for National Statistics estimated that tourism in the UK accounted for £58 billion of economic output in 2023, while 2024 was the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic that visitor numbers have exceeded 2019 levels.
With the Government setting an ambition for overseas visitor numbers to rise from 42.5 million in 2024 to 50 million by 2030, the inquiry will consider whether its current policies are supporting the growth, international competitiveness and long-term resilience of the sector. The inquiry will also examine the impact of policy changes, including the proposal to give mayors powers to charge an overnight levy, alongside wider challenges such as energy price inflation and rising employment costs. MPs will also investigate the sector’s recovery from the pandemic and the effectiveness of the DCMS’s work with VisitBritain, VisitEngland and devolved administrations.
Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said: ‘The tourism industry contributes not only to the UK economy but also plays a vital role in supporting our arts, culture and heritage. That is why it is so important for the sector to be properly supported, and that government policy enables tourism to thrive. While international visits have gradually recovered after Covid, European neighbours have rebounded more strongly and there are concerns that policy changes are making the UK a less attractive destination for overseas visitors. Rising operational costs and cost of living pressures are also squeezing visitor numbers from within the UK. Our inquiry will be looking at the challenges facing both the domestic and international tourism sector, and what can be done to ensure the long-term success of the industry.’
See more at Tourism: Inquiry page and terms of reference
