TA Weekly Update (09.02.2023) + UKCAMS 2023

We also wanted to bring your attention to the launch of the 2023 UK Conference and Meeting Survey (UKCAMS)- See press release at https://ukevents.org.uk/research-and-publications/latest-research/1153-launch-of-new-research-the-uk-conference-and-meeting-survey-2023

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Members’ Weekly Update In this update…9th February 2023 Welcome to your new look Tourism Alliance Machinery of Government changes and welcome to Lucy Frazer as new DCMS SofS Tourism officially not a priority in reconstituted DCMS  Speakers now confirmed for Tourism InsightsConference.  Welcome to your new look Tourism Alliance




Today we have launched our new look and logo. We hope you like it and encourage you to use it to promote your membership of the TA on your website and other assets. Get in touch and we’ll send you the logo files.   Machinery of Government changes and welcome to Lucy Frazer as new DCMS SofS
You will already have received the TA Newsflash earlier this week about the machinery of government changes and the appointment of the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KT MP.

As a reminder, the department’s digital responsibilities have been removed and given to a new Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to be headed by the former DCMS Secretary, Michelle Donelan MP.

Stuart Andrew has been reappointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the DCMS although we await final confirmation that he will retain his tourism brief.   Tourism officially not a priority in reconstituted DCMS 
As part of the changes in government departments, Number 10 published new mission statements and policy priorities for the affected departments.

The new mission statement for DCMS completely lacks any reference to tourism at all, let alone reflecting on the importance of the sector to the department and to the UK economy. It reads,

“The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will focus on supporting culture, arts, media, sport and civil society across every part of England – recognising the UK’s world leading position in these areas and the importance of these sectors in contributing so much to our economy, way of life, and our reputation around the world. The department will champion sport for all at every level; support our world-leading cultural and creative industries; and enhance the cohesiveness of our communities.” Not only that, but the document also outlined five policy priority outcomes for the department, none of which touches on tourism, and none of which reflects the TA’s key 10 priorities outlined in our 2023 policy booklet.

To say this is disappointing is something of an understatement; a feeling which will be appropriately expressed in our welcome letter to the new Secretary of State, and which I am sure will be highlighted by all quarters at the upcoming meeting of the Tourism Industry Council.
    Speakers now confirmed for Tourism Insights Conference 
We can now confirm several speakers for our Tourism Insights Conference which will be held of Thursday 23rd March 2023.

We are pleased to announce that: Justin Reid from TripAdvisor will be speaking on the topic of “UK Tourism – is it ok to peek out from behind the Covid sofa yet?” David Edwards from ETOA and Scattered Clouds will talk on “OK-UK? A long-haul journey through time: past, present and future.” And Richard Nicholls from VisitBritain will discuss “Domestic and Inbound Performance and Prospects” and will in particular talk about GBTS and GBDVS data We will be announcing further speakers in the coming days, and a full agenda for the conference very soon. 

Book now to secure your place. All TA members, and all organisations within your membership, are welcome to join us at the member rate and all delegates are welcome to join us afterwards at our annual English Tourism Week Parliamentary Reception, 3pm-5pm in the Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for TA members and non-members, both for the conference and the Parliamentary Reception.  
Secure your place at the Tourism Insights Conference   Download sponsorship pack