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Sir Chris Bryant: ‘I want the visitor economy strengthened across the whole UK. It’s not great that everything comes to London’


Tourism minister spells out inbound ambitions


Sir Chris Bryant has spoken exclusively to T


Tourism minister Sir Chris Bryant has set a tough challenge for the UK inbound sector after barely three months in the role, saying he would “like to see us rival France for inbound tourists”. He concedes: “I know that is


a big ask.” But by the time of the next election, he says: “I want to see us charging up the list of countries for inbound tourism.” To do so, Bryant suggests: “We need to go through every part of


48 24 OCTOBER 2024 ravel Weekly. Ian Taylor reports


the experience. So, when somebody lands at Heathrow, I defy them to understand how to get on the best train to London. We have to sort out these problems.” He notes: “There is a whole set


of issues which have a clear effect on tourism where the responsibility lies with the Home Office [and] I’m having discussions with them. We need to balance the needs of security with growth in the economy. I’m hopeful we can get to a good place.”


Like previous tourism ministers,


Bryant sees drawing “more visitors outside London” as a priority, saying: “I want the visitor economy strengthened across the whole UK. It’s not great that everything comes to London – it increases hotel prices and makes us look expensive. “I also want more people to consider the visitor economy as


Continued on page 46 travelweekly.co.uk


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PICTURE: Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament


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