View this email in your browser  Members’ Weekly Update In this update…23rd February 2023 New Tourism Minister? Final speakers for Insights Conference confirmed Package Travel Regulations – a brief update Policy Working Groups – a reminder New VB marketing campaign launched today New Tourism Minister?Although we have not had it officially confirmed by DCMS we have it on good authority that Stuart Andrew will no longer have the tourism brief within the reconstituted DCMS, and that another Minister will be taking on that portfolio. If and when that is officially confirmed we will be sure to let you know. Final speakers for Insights Conference confirmed   We can now confirm the final two speakers for the Tourism Insights Conference which will be held on Thursday 23rd March 2023. Nejc Jus, Head of Research at the World Travel & Tourism Council, will be speaking on the topic of “World in Motion: Global Travel Insights.” Linda Ristagno from IATA will be joining us to talk to “Nose-dive and recovery? Is global aviation back on the right flight path? As a reminder, as well as this panel, the following speakers are also confirmed: 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.” Richard Nicholls from VisitBritain will discuss “Domestic and Inbound Performance and Prospects” and will in particular talk about GBTS and GBDVS data Mike Saul from Barclays will be telling us what they are seeing with consumer behaviour – are they spending on holidays or saving their money? A panel of DMO reps will also talk about destination insights and data in their local areas. 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. Book now to secure your place Sponsorship opportunities are also available for TA members and non-members, both for the conference and the Parliamentary Reception. Book your ticket now Download sponsorship pack Package Travel Regulations – a brief update We had a very useful update from colleagues at the new Department for Business and Trade who are the lead department for the Package Travel Regulations. Subject to Ministerial input and agreement, they are planning to launch a consultation on PTR reform at some point in the next few months, and will be looking to engage with industry on it at that point. The consultation may set out possible options for reform, or it may simply seek views – or in fact both. As you may recall from last week’s update, we have established a Policy Working Group on PTRs to coordinate our work on this policy area. Thank you to those who have volunteered to be part of that group. If you haven’t, but would like to, please let me know at Richard.Toomer@tourismalliance.com. Policy Working Groups – a reminder As well as the Policy Working Group on PTRs, we have also established a number of others: Youth and Student Travel Youth Mobility Scheme Visas and ETAs Short-term lets and registration Home Office use of tourism accommodation (emerging issue) Again, let me know, if you haven’t already, if you’d like to volunteer to be a part of these workstreams. New VB marketing campaign launched today VisitBritain has today launched a new multi-million pound campaign called “See Things Differently“, which will include a tea-themed strand in Europe and the GCC (“Spilling the Team on Great Britain”) and in the US called “Fake (Br)it Till You Make It” highlighting Britain’s regional diversity, especially our accents! Full details on the VB website.  The “See Things Differently” launch video     |
