Cabinet reshuffle sends tourism minister to N. Ireland
Tourism minister Shaun Woodward has left his post to become Northern Ireland secretary under new prime minister Gordon Brown.
His new role was revealed as part of a wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle folloiwng the resignation of Tony Blair as premier.
Former culture secretary Tessa Jowell becomes Olympics minister and is succeeded at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport – the department responsible for tourism – by a former tourism minister James Purnell, who moves from the Department of Work and Pensions.
Purnell is no stranger to the DCMS as he was formerly parliamentary secretary of state at the department with responsibility for tourism for a year.
Details of who will be handed responsibility for tourism has yet to emerge as a result of the Cabinet overhaul.
Sports minister Richard Caborn takes the new role as Ambassador for the World Cup in 2018, responsible for efforts to bring the football tournament to the UK in 11 years time.
Meanwhile, Ruth Kelly takes on the role of transport secretary, moving from communities and local government, in place of Douglas Alexander.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive