Press

The British Hospitality Association is eager to take up David Cameron’s challenge for the tourism industry to work with tourism minister, John Penrose MP, to develop a tourism strategy that sets the UK on the path to be in the top five tourist destinations in the world.

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive, said that the BHA warmly welcomed Mr Cameron’s enthusiastic approach to the industry.

“It’s completely refreshing to see the prime minister speak so enthusiastically of the value of the industry to the UK economy, and its potential future contribution.  This is what the industry has wanted to hear for many years.”

She said the BHA had long been concerned about the lack of joined-up government in which decisions taken by government departments negatively affected tourism without ministers and officials realizing the scale of the impact on the industry.

“We also welcome the focus on encouraging local tourism as a local industry and the ability of local authorities to invest more in tourism locally, though the details of this need to be carefully examined.”

Ms Ibrahim said that the BHA wanted to have a major input into the report on increasing domestic tourism, which tourism minister, John Penrose MP, is preparing and which will be published in October.

“Increasing domestic tourism must be a key objective, but this will demand a huge effort on the part of the industry, local authorities, and governments.  We look forward to working to achieve this, so that the tourism industry and the UK economy as a whole can benefit.”

For further information:
Miles Quest
Wordsmith and Company
01753 645636
mq@wordsmith-and-co.demon.co.uk

Editor’s notes:  The British Hospitality Association is the national trade association of the hotel, catering and leisure industry, representing more than 40,000 establishments with over 340,000 rooms and employing over 500,000 people.

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