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32-page PHOTO SPECIAL page 46
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LUCY Editor-in-chief HUXLEY
Dear DCMS, inbound is only half the story
to catch up with tourism minister Helen Grant for an exclusive interview (page five and back page). But with just two months before Parliament is dissolved and MPs turn their attention to winning votes in their constituencies, it’s a shame that it has taken this long to pin the minister down. She has been in the role since late 2013. It is encouraging to hear Grant talk with such passion about the sector and her commitment to make tourism a priority in her final weeks in the role – especially as tourism is not her sole concern. Her drive to improve skills and training is welcome. These are sentiments that led us to launch our own annual Take Off in Travel publication three years ago. Her advocacy of the Tourism Industry Council as a forum for the sector to get its views across to ministers is also a sign of improved understanding. However, the interview also highlights a continuing
T
frustration. The outbound industry does not warrant a mention. Grant talks of the role tourism plays “in enriching the lives of British people holidaying at home and in improving the perceptions of the UK abroad” without mentioning the enrichment of Britons travelling abroad and spending money in the UK to do so.
Sadly, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has made clear that neither its nor Grant’s remit covers outbound. There is still much to be done to persuade the government of the value of the entire travel industry.
lucy.huxley@
travelweekly.co.uk WHAT LUCY DID THISWEEK 1
2 3
Was fascinated by Monarch Travel Group CEO Andrew Swaffield’s views on the sale of the company
Enjoyed a funny night out at the Leeds Arena, watching Strictly Come Dancing on tour, with the lovely James and Emma from Leeds Bradford airport
Loved taking on the team from Celebrity Cruises at ping pong – a belated Christmas get-together
29 January 2015 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 3
he general election is just three months away, so it was perfect timing for Travel Weekly and sister title travelGBI
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