
The RSC's CEO Andrew Leveson is one of 21 members of the new council tasked with growing the UK's tourism sector
Photo: RSC
RSC boss among Visitor Economy Advisory Council
The CEO of the Royal Shakespeare Company, ANDREW LEVESON, has been named as a member of a new Visitor Economy Advisory Council unveiled by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The group, co-chaired by Tourism Minister Sir CHRIS BRYANT and IHG hotels and resorts’ managing director for Europe, KARIN SHEPPARD, will be tasked with boosting collaboration between the government and the tourism industry in a bid to increase growth in the sector as part of Labour’s Plan for Change.
The advisory council will inform the government’s forthcoming National Visitor Economy Strategy and work towards its previously announced ambition of having 50 million international visitors visit the UK annually by 2030.
Part of the government’s growth strategy for the tourism sector is increasing visitor numbers outside London. Bryant has previously expressed his frustration with how difficult it is to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, where the RSC is based, by train.
The council’s 21 members also include chair of The Royal Parks LOYD GROSSMAN, who was knighted earlier this month in the King’s New years honours for his services to heritage, as well as Trainline CEO JODY FORD, West Midlands Mayor RICHARD PARKER and VisitBritain chief executive PATRICIA YATES.
At the council’s launch, Bryant said he wanted to increase cooperation between the government and the tourism sector to “make the UK the best destination that it can be”.
“That means building investment, improving visitors’ experience and enabling the sector to grow,” said Bryant.
“By working together, we can create jobs and drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change while also providing fantastic holidays that showcase the best that our country has to offer.”
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