Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has joined the UK’s Government’s Visitor Economy Advisory Council, giving the cruise sector representation in the national forum for the first time.
The Governmental body acts as a point of dialogue between Ministers and the tourism industry.
Rt Hon Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister for Arts, Creative Industries and Tourism will work with the Council on all aspects of tourism planning and strategy.
CLIA will help the Government consider more than 2 million British holidaymakers who take a cruise each year. The cruise industry’s role in bringing visitors to remote coastal communities around the UK will also be taken into account.
The new Council will seek to maximise the benefits of outbound travel and increase inbound tourism to the UK to 50 million visitors a year by 2030.
Andy Harmer OBE, Managing Director – UK and Ireland at CLIA, said: “I am delighted that the Government has recognised that the cruise sector is an integral part of the UK tourism offer, playing a unique role in inward, outbound and domestic tourism.
“I look forward to sharing our expertise in relation to tourism planning, responsible tourism and innovation within the sector, as well as the commitment of the UK’s amazing travel agent community. A thriving cruise sector can contribute significantly towards the Government’s aims of achieving economic growth through tourism.”
The Government’s full statement on its new Council can be found here.
