The UK visitor economy is world class, but lacks cohesion and in England is trapped in a dysfunctional structure and deserves better, said Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge, Chairman of VisitBritain, at the annual dinner of The Tourism Society.

Speaking to Society members and their guests at St Stephen’s Club, Westminster, Lord Marshall highlighted the challenges facing the domestic visitor economy, including terrorism and climate change. But he reminded them that unprecedented opportunities lay ahead, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the opening up of Asian and East European Markets.

It was time, he said, for Government to look hard at replacing the out of date straitjacket of the 1969 Development of Tourism Act, ‘with a visionary new policy for this century’.

Responding, Society President Lord Thurso thanked Lord Marshall for his timely reminder that the visitor economy is vital to communities up and down the country and needs strong, focused and well-resourced support if the UK is to maintain its place in the top ten of global tourist destinations.