UKinbound Convention
Tories Promise to Raise the Profile and Status of Tourism
ASHFORD, Kent, UK, February 10, 2006. The 2006 UKinbound Convention, which runs 8-11 February, is hosted by the Kent Tourism Alliance and is being held at the Ashford International Hotel in Ashford, Kent. The theme of the event "Forging Ahead" underlines the progress the association has made in recent years and provides a platform for developing professional skills as the tourism industry prepares for the challenges, and opportunities, of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Deputising for Hugo Swire MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport was Malcolm Moss MP, the Shadow Tourism Minister, who formally opened the convention and underlined the Conservative commitment to a strong and sustainable tourism industry. In a letter to delegates Mr Swire said "Conservatives appreciate the importance of inbound tourism to the UK economy and it is our belief that the profile and status of Tourism within the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and indeed within Government, should be raised".
In her speech to the convention UKinbound Chairman Angela Shanley welcomed these commitments by the Conservative Party but warned that the industry had heard it all before and wants to see promises turn into action. She said "We hear reassuring words about the importance of tourism from politicians when they take office but within months we end up far down their list of priorities. All our recent tourism ministers have had other demanding responsibilities and have been unable, or unwilling, to devote sufficient time to the issues that affect us.
Our's is not a simple industry; it's complex and we need a Minister whose sole job is tourism and who is given the time to learn how it works. We welcome the interest and commitments made by the Shadow Secretary of State but we will be watching to see that any future Tory Government lives up to its promises to the tourism industry; if they do everyone will prosper; not least the Treasury."
The award winning news broadcaster Alastair Stewart is again the Convention Moderator and this year's keynote address was given by Iris Brouwer, Marketing Director of European marketing consultancy THR based in Barcelona. Ms Brouwer is an expert on destination marketing and the emergence of a new breed of consumers who are seeking spiritual rather than physical comfort from their leisure time. Her presentation "Tourism in the Dream Society" explored how tourism organisations need to structure their marketing to engage with this growing business sector.
In addition the convention has a programme of specialist breakout sessions, a Panel Debate with senior industry figures and a business workshop, as well as a packed social programme including familiarisation trips to Kent's tourism attractions. The convention is attended by decision makers, senior managers, buyers and sellers of tourism products plus other service suppliers to the tourism industry.
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