Interministerial Group for Tourism Communique: 22 July 2025
Published 17 October 2025
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The Devolved Governments’ Inter-Ministerial Group for Tourism met on 22 July 2025. The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, Chris Bryant MP.
1. Attendees
The attending ministers were as follows:
1.1. From the UK government:
Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, Sir Chris Bryant MP
1.2. From the Scottish government:
Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade, Richard Lochhead
1.3. From the Welsh government:
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS
1.4. From the Northern Ireland Executive:
Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA
1.5. British Tourist Authority (VisitBritain/VisitEngland)
Patricia Yates, CEO of the BTA
2. What was discussed
Each minister provided an update on the current state of the tourism sector in their respective jurisdictions. This included information on domestic and international visitor activity, challenges facing businesses and the short-term-lets scheme. The upcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy was discussed and the ministers agreed on further engagement and collaboration as the strategy is developing. There was also some discussion about the impact of the cut to the GREAT international marketing budget. Additionally, Minister Bryant raised his ambitions for the World Travel Market in London in November.