The main government department responsible for tourism is the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) (link www.culture.gov.uk)

One of the most enduring definitions is that used by the Tourism Society:‘ the temporary short term movement of people to destinations outside places where they normally live & work, & their activities during their stay at these destinations’.

Tourism includes many sub sectors: accommodation providers from five star hotels to bed and breakfasts and camping sites; restaurants, pubs, bars and catering; museums, arts and heritage attractions, museums & zoos; theme parks, cinemas and sporting facilities; tour operators & ground handlers; coach, bus and taxi companies as well as business tourism such as conferences, meetings and exhibitions.

VisitBritain (www.VisitBritain.com/corporate) was created on 1 April 2003 out of the merger of the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourism Council. Its mission is to build the value of tourism by creating world class destination brands and marketing campaigns.

We were going to give you a detailed explanation of how VisitBritain works and the markets in which it's active but the number of changes and re-structures means that the information would be out of date by tomorrow so it's best to take a look at their industry website! www.visitBritain.com/ukindustry.

In October 2007, VisitEngland was created as a new leadership and stakeholder board drawn from a broad cross-section of the public and private sector.

Under the aegis of national tourism agency VisitBritain, the VisitEngland board is responsible for:

• Consulting on, developing and delivering a strategy that supports English tourism
• Future planning, priority- and scenario-setting
• Coordinating, focussing and encouraging implementation at all levels
• Liaison with different elements of government for the benefit of England’s tourism industry
• Undertaking actions that are important for the development of the English visitor economy
• Ensuring alignment with regional and local marketing objectives and overseeing the Enjoy England marketing strategy
• Steering the improvement of tourism data, research and intelligence within England

In addition the Partners for England Forum exists to consider, debate, comment and influence England’s tourism strategy on an ongoing basis.

One of the biggest changes in domestic tourism is that Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have been given the strategic lead for tourism in the regions. The funding which previously went to the Regional Tourist Boards (RTB’s) is now being channelled via the RDAs. This also means that the RDAs are responsible for ensuring that appropriate tourism delivery structures are in place in each area. In some regions, there have been some quite radical changes, with new destination partnerships being formed. You can find out more by looking at each of the RDA websites.

Northwest Regional Development Agency www.nwda.co.uk
Yorkshire Forward www.yorkshire-forward.com;
One North East www.onenortheast.co.uk;
Advantage West Midlands www.advantagewm.co.uk;
East Midlands Development Agency www.emda.org.uk;
East of England Development Agency www.eeda.org.uk; South East England Development Agency www.seeda.co.uk;
South West Development Agency www.southwestrda.org.uk
London Development Agency - www.lda.gov.uk

People 1st are the new Sector Skills Council for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry. www.People1st.co.uk.