Visitor Economy Advisory Council
A joint industry and government-led board composed of employers, small businesses and representative organisations from across the visitor economy.
Role of the group
The Visitor Economy Advisory Council is a joint industry and government-led board composed of employers, small businesses and representative organisations from across the visitor economy. The council acts as a sounding board and point of dialogue between ministers and industry, and brings together voices from across the sector and UK Government to drive growth by identifying and acting on opportunities and removing or reducing barriers.
The council aims to act as a candid sounding board and challenge function for government policy decisions, and to help deliver a joint long-term national strategy for tourism by Autumn 2025.
Membership
The council is composed of leading figures from across the visitor economy, including attractions, hospitality, heritage, creative industries, transport, and businesses large and small whose services are actively marketed to inbound, outbound and domestic visitors.
The council is co-Chaired by the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism and Karin Sheppard, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director for Europe.
Joss Croft OBE, Chief Executive Officer, UKInbound
Sean Doyle, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, British Airways
Fiona Eastwood, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Merlin Entertainments
Paul Flaum, Chief Executive Officer, Bourne Leisure
Jody Ford, Chief Executive Officer, Trainline
Dr Sarah Green OBE, Chief Executive Officer, NewcastleGateshead Initiative
Sir Loyd Grossman CBE, Chair, The Royal Parks
Andy Harmer OBE, Managing Director UK & Ireland, CLIA
Dame Irene Hays DBE, Chair and Owner, Hays Travel
Andrew Leveson, Executive Director, Royal Shakespeare Company
Fiona MacConnacher, Head of Public Affairs, UK & Ireland, Booking.com
Kate Nicholls OBE, Chief Executive Officer, UKHospitality
Ken O’Toole, Group Chief Executive Officer, Manchester Airports Group
Richard Parker, Mayor, West Midlands Combined Authority
Neil Rami, Chief Executive Officer, West Midlands Growth Company
Jeremy Rees, Chief Executive Officer, ExCel London
Kate Shane, Managing Director, Blackpool Council Leisure Portfolio
Karin Sheppard, Managing Director Europe, IHG Hotels and Resorts
Julia Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, World Tourism and Travel Council
Shaon Talukder, Chief Executive Officer, Geotourist
Patricia Yates (Observer), Chief Executive Officer, VisitBritain, VisitEngland
Working Groups
The Visitor Economy Advisory Council has the ability to stand up working groups to find solutions to priority challenges or opportunities. These working groups are chaired by a member of the Visitor Economy Advisory Council, and are supported by DCMS, who will actively engage in discussions and advise each group from a government perspective. Other government departments may join working groups on an ad hoc basis.
Details of the Visitor Economy Council Working Groups will be published here following agreement at the first meeting in January 2025.
Terms of Reference
The Visitor Economy Advisory Council terms of reference will be published here following agreement at the first meeting in January 2025.
Minutes
Minutes will be available here after each meeting.