UK tourism needs private funding, says UK travel boss
Private companies should be brought in to support VisitEngland and VisitBritain, according to the boss of the independent tourism and accommodation directory iknow-uk.
Managing director Marcus Simmons said pumping private sector funding into domestic tourist boards would save public money and help to drive initiatives forward.
His comments follow the revelation that the Government is considering ‘an alternative structure’ for VisitEngland and VisitBritain, which might result in the two quangos being merged back into one body.
"It’s good news that the government has announced a review on how domestic tourist boards such as VisitEngland and VisitBritain are run," said Simmons.
""It’s really important that tourist boards continue to do their work in attracting people to the UK, especially with the Olympics coming up, but I believe it’s time for the government to step back and look at the way these organisations are funded.
"Tourism is the UK’s fifth largest industry and it’s vital to the overall economy that it is made as profitable a sector as possible.
"Private companies should be brought in to support the tourist boards in their work – it will help them to drive forward more initiatives, whilst saving the UK tax payer the considerable money that is currently paid out in subsidies."
Simmons warned there was a danger that UK tourism was focusing too heavily on attracting visitors during the 2012 Olympics and failing to look beyond the Games.
"We have an amazing offer for travellers all year round, and we need to be ensuring as much support as possible for the tourist boards – but at the right price," he added.
By Linsey McNeill
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 
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