In April 2003 the strengths and resources of the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourism Council were combined in one organisation, renamed VisitBritain.
VisitBritain is responsible for promoting Britain overseas and England to the domestic market. Its key roles are to boost Britain's income from tourism through professional and effective marketing, and to provide a framework within which the tourism industry can work in closer partnership. With its network of overseas offices, VisitBritain helps the over 120,000 tourism businesses in Britain reach overseas customers cost-effectively. For England, VisitBritain provides a central coordination role to make the most of the collective effort of all sectors promoting tourism in England to a domestic audience.
Regional Development Agencies
The nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in England are non-departmental bodies whose primary role is to act as strategic drivers of economic development in their region. The RDAs aim to co-ordinate economic development and regeneration, enable regions to improve their relative competitiveness and address the imbalances that exist within and between regions.
The RDAs' agenda includes regional regeneration, taking forward regional competitiveness, taking the lead on inward investment and, working with local partners, ensuring the development of a regional skills action plan that matches the needs of the labour market. The RDAs together have an annual budget of £2 billion.
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The RDAs are now key players with national Government in the strategic leadership of tourism, working both individually and with one another, as well as with regional and local partners.
This is more than a transfer of responsibilities - tourism has been positioned as a driver of regional economies. In line with Government guidance on RDAs' Regional Economic Strategies, the RDAs are encouraged to mainstream tourism into their economic strategy development, by making links with other regional strategies, eg for regeneration, skills development, transport and planning. he RDAs are currently implementing Regional Sustainable Tourism Strategies.
For more information on RDAs and their tourism strategies please visit the following websites:
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Regional Tourist Boards and Destination Management Organisations
Each region is responsible for its own tourism support structures. Regional Tourist Boards (RTBs) typically have a lead role in marketing and developing tourism in the region.
Additionally, newer, sub-regional bodies have been developed. The functions of these bodies vary but, in general, they bring together local authorities and the private sector in partnerships designed to promote the development and marketing of individual destinations.
These organisations can be reached through the following links:
DCMS contributes £3.6 million per annum to BERR's RDA "single pot" for the RDAs' tourism responsibilities.
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London Tourism
London plays a vital role in the UK's tourism industry, with over half of visitors to the UK coming via the capital. The Mayor of London has statutory duties to:
- Encourage people to visit Greater London
- Encourage people from outside the United Kingdom to visit the United Kingdom by way of Greater London
- Encourage the provision and improvement of tourist amenities and facilities in Greater London
This he does through the London Development Agency and in implementing his Tourism Strategy for London.
DCMS contributed £1.9million per year over 2003-06 towards delivery of the Strategy; the current emphasis being on developing the "gateway into the UK" role.
More information:
Local Government
Local Authorities(LAs) have a vital role in supporting the tourism industry because of their statutory duties and because of their wider responsibilities for local infrastructure, economic development and sense of place. Local Authorities are the only bodies capable of joining up all aspects of tourism at local level, working in partnership with local businesses and other interests.
LAs are essential for joining up all aspects of tourism at local level. Their role, working through the Local Government Association, in supporting the national strategy will be set out in the forthcoming Tourism Prospectus.
We also work with the LGA Culture, Tourism and Sport board to promote the interests of tourism as well as with organisations such as Destination Performance UK, British Resorts and Destinations Association (BRADA) and Tourism Management Institute.
