CLIA UK boss Andy Harmer joins government tourism taskforce
The cruise industry has been included for the first time in a tourism taskforce set up by the UK government which acts as point of contact between ministers and the sector
Andy Harmer, UK and Ireland managing director of CLIA, will join the Visitor Economy Advisory Council to share the sector’s expertise in relation to tourism planning, responsible travel and innovation, as well as the “commitment of the UK’s amazing travel agent community”.
“I am delighted that the government has recognised that the cruise sector is an integral part of the UK tourism offer, playing a unique role in inward, outbound, and domestic tourism,” he said.
“A thriving cruise sector can contribute significantly towards the government’s aims of achieving economic growth through tourism.”
The council will work with Chris Bryant MP, minister for arts, creative industries and tourism, on all aspects of tourism planning and strategy, covering inbound, outbound and domestic tourism.
The addition of Harmer will enable the government to take into account the more than 2 million British holidaymakers who take a cruise each year, as well as the role the sector plays in bringing visitors to the remote coastal communities around the UK.
The new council will look to maximise the benefits of outbound travel, and to increase inbound tourism to the UK to 50 million visitors a year by 2030.
Alongside CLIA UK boss Harmer, other members of the council include Joss Croft, CEO of UKInbound, Irene Hays, chair and owner of Hays Travel and Julia Simpson, CEO of the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC).
