The UK government had unveiled a series of measures designed to boost the domestic tourism sector. Branded the Tourism Action Plan, the agenda aims to capitalise on the weaker pound currently making trips cheaper for overseas visitors. The pound has fallen from US$1.49 on the day of the Brexit referendum in July to lows of US$1.28 in July and August. As such, foreign visitors are expected to benefit from the Leave vote as prices fall.
Central to the new action plan is deregulation. Regulatory changes set to be introduced include allowing B&Bs to serve some alcohol. At the same time, owners will be allowed to give guests a lift from train stations to their accommodation. A flexible apprentice scheme for seasonal workers – such as those in the hospitality industry – will allow businesses to train staff over 18 months rather than 12.
The government has also announced a series of new single-booking fix rail itineraries to encourage visitors to travel around the country. Also announced are projects that will get part of the £40 million Discover England fund to encourage tourists to travel beyond London.
Prime Minister Theresa May said the Brexit vote created “real opportunities for growth” in the tourism sector. At the same time national tourism body VisitBritain came out in support of the agenda.
“We strongly support the launch of the Tourism Action Plan which outlines the government’s plans to ensure the continued success of the tourism industry which last year generated £22.1 billion in spending from inbound tourism to Britain and £19.6 billion from domestic overnight tourism spend in England, both record results,” explained a statement.
The government’s announcement comes as VisitEngland completes a hugely successful first phase of the £40 million Discover England Fund. The Fund attracted an exceptional number of high quality bids, far outweighing the allocated funding available for year one.
“We are pleased to have chosen some excellent winners, including the South West Coastal Path and Visit Kent and Cheshire’s ‘Gardens and Gourmets’, and we will now be working closely with them to build world-class ‘bookable’ tourism products that showcase the best of England to international and domestic visitors. We look forward to continuing the success of the Fund with larger scale bids worth more than £1 million in years two and three. Tourism is a fiercely competitive global industry and the Tourism Action Plan demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving our competitive tourism offer which includes making it easier for visitors to explore Britain using our extensive transport network. We are thrilled to be running a competition with the Rail Delivery Group to give five pairs of winners the chance to test out some of our best rail itineraries and show just how easy it is to explore all the incredible experiences and attractions on offer across Britain,” added the statement.
