Plans include 30 000 new apprenticeships, two new T-Levels, funding for five Tourism Zones and a new International Business Events Action Plan.
Last week saw DCMS and BEIS publish a far-reaching Tourism Sector Deal which pledged to support the growth of Britain’s cultural heritage sector and historic environment. Stating that “our heritage is the number one reason international visitors chose the UK as a location to visit”, the deal lays out an ambitious plan to ensure the continued global competitiveness of the sector and make provision for partnerships between governments, business and heritage.
• Tourism Data Hub: Airbnb, Barclays and TripAdvisor are some of the businesses committed in principle to working with the British Tourism Authority on providing big data sets to SMEs and heritage organisations.
• Investment in Skills: The continued development of two new T-Levels in Catering and in Cultural and Heritage Visitor Attractions is detailed. There is also an industry promise to provide 30 000 new apprenticeships a year across the tourism sector by 2025.
• Tourism Zones: Bids open in December 2019 for regions to receive government backing to address local market failures and grow their tourism industry. Support will include funding for SMEs to receive digital skills training, business mentoring, fibre access and aid in forming proactive partnerships across the sector. The North East has already announced its intention to enter a bid.
• Investment in the Heritage Sector: This includes earmarked funding such as 25.6 million for the English Coastal Path as well as commitments to improving accessibility and infrastructure. The Tourism Alliance [Alliance Member] has been granted £40 000 of government funding to investigate compliance advice sought by businesses in the sector, which will inform further advisory services.
• International Business Events Action Plan 2019-2025: The government aims to maintain the UK’s place as a leading European base for business events and to bolster international visitor numbers in the tourism off-season. The Action Plan includes pledges of Government advocacy and coordination, financial support and support from the UK Border Force.