The tourism industry in the East of England is urging the government to appoint a dedicated minister to oversee and support the sector, as business leaders express concern over rising operational costs and what they perceive as inadequate government focus. Pete Waters, executive director of Visit East of England, emphasized that tourism is a vital contributor to the local economy, generating an estimated £12 billion annually across counties such as Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Despite its economic significance, Waters argued that the industry’s potential for growth is being stifled by financial pressures and a lack of targeted support from government decision-makers.
Waters pointed to the upcoming increase in National Insurance (NI) contributions, set to take effect next month, as a critical burden for tourism-related businesses. Many operators, already struggling with inflated energy prices and staffing costs, are now bracing for further financial strain. Waters highlighted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly family-run operations and entrepreneurial ventures, are at risk of being overwhelmed. He described the tax increase as a misstep by the government, suggesting it undermines economic recovery rather than stimulates it.
Currently, the tourism portfolio is managed by Sir Chris Bryant, who serves as Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. However, his responsibilities are extensive, also encompassing arts, libraries, museums, and heritage, among other areas. This broad mandate, coupled with overlapping decisions made by other departments such as Transport, Local Government, and the Home Office, has led to concerns that tourism is not receiving the attention it deserves. Waters asserted that having a dedicated tourism minister could help the industry thrive by providing consistent advocacy within government and ensuring policies are crafted with the sector’s specific needs in mind.
Blake Stephenson, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, echoed these sentiments, noting that while Sir Chris Bryant is competent, the sheer volume of his responsibilities may hinder focused attention on tourism. Stephenson plans to lead a parliamentary debate on the issue, arguing that a dedicated portfolio could align better with government goals to attract more international visitors.
Some industry leaders believe that if such a ministerial position existed, recent tax hikes might have been mitigated or avoided altogether. Drew Mullin, managing director of Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire, reported that the park’s wage bill has risen by £325,000, a third of which is directly tied to the NI hike. As a result, ticket prices will increase next month. Mullin added that energy costs have doubled since 2020-21, and the minimum wage rise will further pressure their finances. He also expressed anxiety over potential increases in business rates, citing a lack of clarity and confidence in the current fiscal environment.
The government, while declining to comment directly on the call for a dedicated minister, highlighted efforts to support the sector, including the establishment of the Visitor Economy Advisory Council aimed at fostering collaboration and growth within tourism. Additionally, officials defended the tax changes, arguing they will finance improvements to public services and that employees will ultimately benefit from higher wages due to the minimum wage increase.
Nonetheless, for many within the industry, the question remains whether current government measures are sufficient to protect one of the country’s largest economic contributors. As calls grow louder for more focused leadership, the future of tourism may hinge on whether policymakers are willing to take the steps needed to prioritize and shield the sector from further financial headwinds.
