Tourism minister praises ‘vital role’ of cruise in UK travel ecosystem
Tourism minister Sir Chris Bryant MP has praised the cruise industry’s “vital place” in the UK’s tourism ecosystem during CLIA’s inaugural UK Cruise Summit in Liverpool
The summit brought together industry leaders and government representatives from the UK’s devolved administrations, as well as ports and visit groups.
Together, they discussed how cruise can be at the heart of the UK government’s upcoming tourism strategy and how they can work collaboratively so the industry can help the government achieve its aim of boosting inbound tourism to 50 million people a year by 2030.
After joining the government’s Visitor Economy Advisory Council earlier this year, CLIA hosted this first of its kind event to showcase the important role of cruise in the UK’s inbound, outbound and domestic tourism ecosystem.
The summit celebrated the economic and social benefits that cruising brings, as well as the opportunities that come from the industry’s sustainable and responsible growth.
Bryant said: “The cruise industry is a vital component of the UK’s tourism ecosystem, supporting high quality jobs and bringing opportunities for many of our coastal communities.
“From beautiful islands and coastal towns, to world-famous heritage sites, or any of our four capital cities, cruise guests get to experience the very best of what our country offers.
“It is fantastic to be in Liverpool and to join representatives from across the industry as we celebrate its contributions to the UK and consider how its benefits can spread even further.”
Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, who was also in attendance, added: “With our rich history – from music and culture to football and of course our maritime heritage – Liverpool is a global city that’s firmly on the bucket list for travellers from all over the world.
“I’m really pleased that the industry has chosen Liverpool for its first ever cruise tourism Summit. It shows just how far we’ve come. We’re proud to play a leading role in shaping the future of the sector – and making the case for a joined-up, national approach that helps cruise tourism grow in a way that benefits more people, businesses and communities across the country.”
Andy Harmer OBE, managing director of CLIA UK & Ireland, said cruise plays a “vital role” in the UK’s visitor economy, supporting many of the UK’s coastal communities, and enabling international guests to sample several of the country’s selling points.
“To help grow the benefits of cruise tourism, it is important that we continue to work with governments, visitor groups and other key partners, so that we can sustainably grow cruise tourism in the UK and ensure a great experience for both our guests and local residents,” he added.
