Tourism development and promotion are co-ordinated by public sector bodies, such as tourist boards and local councils. Visit Wales, for example, is the national tourist board that uses public money to invest in tourist facilities in the country and promote Wales as a holiday destination to UK and overseas visitors. The development and promotion of tourism in the UK is mostly undertaken by organisations in the public sector such as Visit Britain. The public sector is keen to develop tourism because it brings much needed income to many parts of the country, creates jobs for local people and can help to regenerate areas and improve the quality of life. Within the public sector in the UK, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for supporting the tourism industry at national level. Other government departments have responsibilities for areas of tourism. The Department for Transport looks after railways, roads and the London Underground. The overseas offices work closely with British diplomatic and cultural staff, the local travel trade and media, to stimulate interest in the UK. Another example of the role of Visit Britain is its campaign to persuade high spending tourists to come to the UK. It is important that inbound tourists spend money and boost the UK economy.
Tourist Boards
Tourist boards have an important role to play in promoting destinations and co-ordinating the work of private sector tourism businesses e.g. hotels and tourist attractions. Tourist boards are funded from public money, so operate in the public sector, which consists of all government departments, public bodies and local authorities that provide services to the public. Public sector involvement in UK travel and tourism occurs at three levels:
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for UK tourism policy. It sets the agenda for tourism, supports the sector to improve what is has to offer, provides funding and helps to promote a positive image of Britain abroad. Other government departments have an indirect involvement with aspects of tourism e.g. the Department for Transport, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Tourist Boards
Tourist boards have an important role to play in promoting destinations and co-ordinating the work of private sector tourism businesses e.g. hotels and tourist attractions. Tourist boards are funded from public money, so operate in the public sector, which consists of all government departments, public bodies and local authorities that provide services to the public. Public sector involvement in UK travel and tourism occurs at three levels:
- National- through the work of government departments, National Tourist Boards and government agencies
- Regional- activities undertaken by Regional Development Agencies and Regional Tourist Boards
- Local- through local authorities
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for UK tourism policy. It sets the agenda for tourism, supports the sector to improve what is has to offer, provides funding and helps to promote a positive image of Britain abroad. Other government departments have an indirect involvement with aspects of tourism e.g. the Department for Transport, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
National Tourist Boards
The UK has four National Tourist Boards:
Visit Britain- responsible for promoting the whole of Britain abroad and England to the British
Visit Wales- concerned with improving the economic and social prosperity of Wales through effective marketing and development of tourism
Visit Scotland- exists to support the development of the tourism sector in Scotland and to market Scotland as a quality destination
Northern Ireland Tourist Board- responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of Northern Ireland a tourist destination
The national boards are funded mainly from central government sources, channelled through DCMS, Welsh Assembly Government, Scottish Executive and Northern Ireland Office/Assembly.
The UK has four National Tourist Boards:
Visit Britain- responsible for promoting the whole of Britain abroad and England to the British
Visit Wales- concerned with improving the economic and social prosperity of Wales through effective marketing and development of tourism
Visit Scotland- exists to support the development of the tourism sector in Scotland and to market Scotland as a quality destination
Northern Ireland Tourist Board- responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of Northern Ireland a tourist destination
The national boards are funded mainly from central government sources, channelled through DCMS, Welsh Assembly Government, Scottish Executive and Northern Ireland Office/Assembly.
Tourism at regional level
The launch of Regional Development Agencies in England in 1999 marked a change in government support for regional tourism. Regional Tourist Boards took the lead in all tourism related matters. Now the Regional Development Agencies are funded from central government to promote economic development, including tourism, in their areas. In most regions, the Regional Development Agencies work with the Regional Tourist Boards to develop future plans for tourism development and marketing. There are currently 9 Regional Tourist Boards in England and 4 Regional Tourism Partnerships in Wales. The Welsh Regional Tourism Partnerships were set up in 2002 to cover North, Mid, South West and South East Wales. Their principal role is to lead the four regional tourism strategies which seek to improve the competitive performance of tourism so that it makes a better contribution to the economic and social prosperity of Wales. The Welsh Regional Tourism Partnerships work in partnership with Visit Wales, local authorities, tourism businesses and other organisations to undertake a range of marketing, product investment and business support activities on behalf of the tourism sector.
The launch of Regional Development Agencies in England in 1999 marked a change in government support for regional tourism. Regional Tourist Boards took the lead in all tourism related matters. Now the Regional Development Agencies are funded from central government to promote economic development, including tourism, in their areas. In most regions, the Regional Development Agencies work with the Regional Tourist Boards to develop future plans for tourism development and marketing. There are currently 9 Regional Tourist Boards in England and 4 Regional Tourism Partnerships in Wales. The Welsh Regional Tourism Partnerships were set up in 2002 to cover North, Mid, South West and South East Wales. Their principal role is to lead the four regional tourism strategies which seek to improve the competitive performance of tourism so that it makes a better contribution to the economic and social prosperity of Wales. The Welsh Regional Tourism Partnerships work in partnership with Visit Wales, local authorities, tourism businesses and other organisations to undertake a range of marketing, product investment and business support activities on behalf of the tourism sector.
Local authorities and tourism
District, city and county councils in the UK are keen to develop tourism in their areas as a way if injecting income into the local economy and creating much needed employment. Many support the establishment of local tourism groups and associations that bring together the private and public sector. The Local Government Act of 1948 gave local authorities the powers to set up information and publicity services for tourists. This was reinforced by the Local Government Act 1972 which empowered them to publicise their areas for tourism and provide facilities for visitors. There are few local authorities in the UK that are not actively involved in some way with promoting their areas to tourist; places as diverse as Brighton and Berwick are all competing for some of
the tourism pound. Local authorities use their resources to provide as wide a range of tourism facilities and services that finances will allow. In an area, this might include:
Most towns have a Tourist Information Centre subsided by the local council. They all rely on generating income to ensure their financial viability. The Tourist Information Centre provides full information service for both residents and visitors. It gives information on visitor attractions and on accommodation. It usually provides a booking service for accommodation, and often incorporates a shop selling locally made crafts and gifts, as well as books of local interest. The shop is more than a service for visitors, it is important means of generating funds. Regardless of how tourism development is organised within a particular local council, it is
clear that it will remain vital and increasing part of the work of local authorities in the future.
District, city and county councils in the UK are keen to develop tourism in their areas as a way if injecting income into the local economy and creating much needed employment. Many support the establishment of local tourism groups and associations that bring together the private and public sector. The Local Government Act of 1948 gave local authorities the powers to set up information and publicity services for tourists. This was reinforced by the Local Government Act 1972 which empowered them to publicise their areas for tourism and provide facilities for visitors. There are few local authorities in the UK that are not actively involved in some way with promoting their areas to tourist; places as diverse as Brighton and Berwick are all competing for some of
the tourism pound. Local authorities use their resources to provide as wide a range of tourism facilities and services that finances will allow. In an area, this might include:
- Promotional leaflets, brochures and websites
- Parks and gardens
- Theatres
- Museums
- Tourist information centres
- Accommodation booking services
- Sports and leisure centres
- Outdoor activity centre
- Art and craft galleries
Most towns have a Tourist Information Centre subsided by the local council. They all rely on generating income to ensure their financial viability. The Tourist Information Centre provides full information service for both residents and visitors. It gives information on visitor attractions and on accommodation. It usually provides a booking service for accommodation, and often incorporates a shop selling locally made crafts and gifts, as well as books of local interest. The shop is more than a service for visitors, it is important means of generating funds. Regardless of how tourism development is organised within a particular local council, it is
clear that it will remain vital and increasing part of the work of local authorities in the future.