| It's been a really busy year for us at DCMS. Here are some of our highlights.
|
2005 |
| Tuesday 1 February: Launch of Fitness for Purpose |
 |
Quality Counts was launched in partnership with the LGA and is the result of a two-year pilot run by six English Local Authorities covering a broad spectrum of tourist locations. The scheme aims to raise standards in tourism accommodation and promotes a joined up approach to enforcement.
| |
| Friday 21 January 2005: China Approved Destination Status (ADS) |
 |
I am delighted that the ADS Memorandum of Understanding has now been signed. ADS will enable groups of Chinese visitors to come to Britain on holiday for the first time, giving us access to a potentially huge tourist sector. VisitBritain will have a major role to play here, and will launch its marketing campaign "Britain welcomes China" in February 2005 - I look forward to the results!
|
2004 |
|
Monday 22 November: Business in Excellence awards ceremony |
 |
I was thrilled to present the Best Practice Forum's Business in Excellence awards. Tourism is one of the country's most important economic drivers and the more it can improve its performance, the more successful it will be. It was great to see the winners defining new benchmarks of best practice in the industry to which, I hope, others will aspire.
|
|
Monday 15 November: London Jazz Festival |
 |
When you love jazz going to the 12th London Jazz Festival just doesn't seem like work! The very successful event featured numerous artists including, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Larry Golgings, Sam Rivers and Joey Calderazzo. Such events are good for the tourism industry, encouraging visitors to come to the capital and enabling them to experience the myriad attractions London has to offer.
|
| Monday 8 November: UK Inbound Tourism Launch |
 |
I welcomed the opportunity to attend the launch of UKInbound, the new brand name for BITOA. UKInbound face fresh challenges as the overseas tourist becomes ever more discerning. I am confident the re-branding will clearly identify this country and give a distinct identity to which everyone can relate.
|
|
top
|
| Thursday 4 November: Meeting with RDA Chairs |
 |
The meeting with the Chairs of the Regional Development Agencies provided an ideal opportunity to discuss their progress on developing regional tourism strategies and delivery mechanisms. It also welcomed the new RDA Tasking Framework to promote the link between tourism and other economic activities.
|
| Tuesday 2 November: Tourism Alliance Breakfast Meeting |
 |
Another early start to attend the Tourism Alliance Breakfast Meeting. The Alliance enables businesses in the tourism industry to speak with a united voice. These meetings facilitate the Government's understanding of industry views and the November meeting was no exception. Sometimes the best way to do business is over coffee and a croissant!
|
|
Tuesday 12 October: First Visitors Attraction Conference |
 |
While I was unable to attend the event myself, I know the inaugural Visitor Attractions Conference in London was a great success. The Secretary of State delivered a keynote speech and the event was attended by several of the tourism team from DCMS. The event was an important step in developing and promoting the attractions sector and I look forward to future initiatives.
|
|
top
|
|
Monday 4 October: Young Chef and Young Waiter 2004 |
 |
I was extremely pleased to present the Young Chef and Young Waiter 2004 awards at a dinner in the House of Commons, especially as guests got to sample some of their culinary delights! The competition, now in its 20th year, highlights the fundamental skills required by young professionals if they are to succeed in the hospitality industry. Such striving for high standards ultimately benefits the industry as a whole, so well deserves celebration.
|
|
Tuesday 7 September: Submarine Trip to Scylla |
 |
As part of my visit to the South West of England, I was fortunate enough to have a trip aboard a mini-submarine to view the wreck of the HMS Scylla. HMS Scylla was sunk on 27 March 2004 to create an artificial diving reef and thousands of divers have experienced the new environment. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the project and the positive economic impact on Plymouth and the surrounding area is a triumph for tourism.
|
| Friday, 9 July: Launch of Tomorrow's Tourism Today |
 |
Secretary of State, Tessa Jowell was very pleased to launch Tomorrow's Tourism Today at the Tourism Alliance plenary session. The new strategy identifies four key areas for action: marketing and e-tourism; quality; skills; and data. Together with our role in advocating tourism at all levels, I believe these drivers will create real benefits across the sector.
|
| Wednesday 7 July: Countdown to Licensing Reform Begins |
 |
The countdown to the reform of England and Wales's archaic licensing laws begins with 7 February 2005 announced as the first appointed day. I was pleased that guidance for local authorities and the police was also issued, enabling preparations for the new regime.
|
| top |
| Tuesday 8 June: The British Beer & Pub Association Centenary Gala |
 |
The BBPA celebrated its centenary with a black tie dinner for 420 guests at the Dorchester in London. The evening was particularly enjoyable, not least for 39 different beers being served (!), but it also offered a relaxed environment to catch up with industry associates and representatives.
|
| Wednesday 19 May: Launch of People 1st |
 |
The work of People 1st will link into national, regional and local skill structures giving a reinvigorated view of careers in the industry.
|
| Wednesday 28 April: Regional Tourism Conference at York |
 |
Attending the Yorkshire Tourism Conference was a definite highlight of 2004, for as I said in my speech at this event, "there is nowhere quite like Yorkshire!" The engagement presented an excellent opportunity to consider Tourism Reform and look at the important role of the Regional Development Agencies a year on from their inauguration.
|
|
Thursday, 22 April: VisitBritain's annual "Excellence in England" awards |
 |
I was delighted to attend the 15th Excellence in England awards at Kensington Palace. The awards encourage the highest standards, and are frequently referred to as the "Tourism Oscars." They are recognition of the hard work, dedication and commitment to providing a quality holiday experience, something that is vital to the health of the tourism industry and the British economy.
|
|
top
|
| Wednesday, 31 March: Caravan Club Location of the Year Awards |
 |
It was with great pleasure that I presented the Caravan Club's "Certified Location of the Year Awards." I am always pleased to see success rewarded and at this event Caravan Club members themselves were voting for their favourite Certified Location. It was good to have the opportunity to congratulate caravaners on the work they do in providing quality sites and facilities.
|
|
Friday, 19 March: Commonwealth Tourism Ministers' Conference at Kuala Lumpur |
 |
It was a privilege to address other Tourism Ministers at the Commonwealth Tourism Business Forum in Kuala Lumpur. KL (as it's almost universally known) provided a fascinating backdrop; it's a vibrant and fascinating city that unleashes the shopper and explorer in everyone – including me! This particular event, organised by the Commonwealth Business Council, ensured that dialogue could take place between ministers and business leaders for the good of the tourism industry.
|
| Wednesday 3 March: British Travel Trade Industry Conference NEC Birmingham |
 |
The British Travel Trade Fair proved a prime opportunity for the industry to showcase Britain. The new City Culture campaign to encourage British visitors to take short breaks in England's vibrant city destinations was launched at the event and I also announced the creation of a new charity: Tourism for All UK.
|
|
Tuesday 24 February: First National Tourism Skills Conference |
 |
After years of tackling the skills deficit, the new Sector Skills Council for Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism represents a great milestone for the tourism industry. Innovative and stimulating training is the key to attracting and keeping talented young people in the industry, and People 1st has set us on the path to securing a gold standard.
|
|
Tuesday, 13 February 2004: British Holiday & Home Parks Association annual conference |
 |
It was refreshing to hear the emphasis David Bellamy placed on the importance of conserving nature's beauty spots. At DCMS we are working hard to push the message home that sustainable tourism is crucial to the durability and attractiveness of our domestic industry.
|
|
top
|
| Images of English places and events all courtesy of Britainonview, the image resource centre of VisitBritain. |
