Former Tory Party chairman to lead Visit Britain
Former Conservative Party chairman and transport secretary Sir Patrick McLoughlin has been appointed as chairman of the British Tourist Authority.
He replaces former Virgin Atlantic boss Steve Ridgway who has completed his three-year term.
McLoughlin, who was MP for Derbyshire Dales until last year, will chair the Visit Britain tourism board for three years from June 1.
He was government chief whip from 2010 to 2012, before becoming transport secretary in 2012.
McLoughlin was later appointed chairman of the Conservativie Party and chancellor to the Duchy of Lancaster.
Most recently Mcloughlin, who was knighted by former Prime Minister David Cameron, was a member of the business select committee before stepping down at last year’s general election.
Former Brexit department chief of staff Nick de Bois has been appointed as chair of the Visit England advisory board.
De Bois, who was formerly special adviser to Dominic Raab, previously chaired the government’s UK Events Industry Board.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Overseas travelers to the United States declined by 2.5% in 2025