UKEVENTS, the umbrella organisation for the UK events industry, has joined forces with other organisations within the Tourism Alliance in expressing deep concern over the recent decision to significantly reduce GREAT funding for VisitBritain, a key partner.
This decision, which sees a 41% cut in funding compared to last year, poses a substantial threat to the vital work carried out by VisitBritain in promoting the UK as a premier destination for tourism and events.
VisitBritain’s initiatives, including the recently launched ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ campaign and the Great Events Shape the Future activity, have been instrumental in attracting international visitors. The funding cut threatens to derail these efforts, impacting the UK’s ability to compete with other countries for valuable inbound tourism.
The UK events industry contributes £61.6 billion to the UK economy (UK Events Report 2024) and benefits significantly from the promotional activities and support provided by VisitBritain. This includes the highly successful and productive Business Events Growth Programme, which UKEVENTS has been proposing should be expanded given the proven return on investment. The reduction in funding not only affects tourism marketing but also jeopardises regional gateway activities that have historically benefited from GREAT funding.
UKEVENTS calls on the Government to align its actions with its stated ambition to grow inbound tourism to 50 million visits by 2030. The recent decisions, including increases in visa fees and Air Passenger Duty, further compound the challenges faced by the tourism sector.
Glenn Bowdin, Chair of UKEVENTS, said: "VisitBritain plays a crucial role in supporting UK events and the wider tourism industry. The reduction in GREAT funding undermines the efforts to showcase the UK’s diverse and vibrant events on the global stage and attracting major business events to the UK. We stand firmly with VisitBritain and urge the Government to reconsider this decision.
"The UK events industry is ready to support the Government’s economic growth mission. However, we need consistent and adequate funding to continue attracting international visitors and maintaining our competitive edge. We urge the GREAT Programme Board to reconsider the funding cuts and work collaboratively with the industry to ensure sustainable growth."
About UKEVENTS
UKEVENTS is the recognised and collective voice of our world leading events industry, which represents every part of a diverse, creative and dynamic sector across the whole of the UK and champions the economic, societal and transformational value of events. UKEVENTS’, formerly the Business Visits and Events Partnership’s (BVEP), role is to support the work of our partners to help create a strong and growing events industry.
This industry comprises many diverse and individual sectors, covering meetings, conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, incentive travel, event hospitality, ceremonies, sporting, cultural, outdoor and festivals as well as other services provided by the wider supply chain. Partners UKEVENTS exists to represent the interests of its partners, their members and the wider UK events industry.?
We are proud to represent the following organisations:
• ABPCO - Association of British Professional Conference Organisers
• AEME - Association for Events Management Education
• Beam - Business Events and Meetings
• BTA - Business Travel Association
• Core Cities
• EIA - Events Industry Alliance (AEO, AEV, ESSA)
• EIF - Events Industry Forum
• EVCOM - Event & Visual Communications Association
• London & Partners
• MIA - Meetings Industry Association
• NCASS – Nationwide Caterers Association
• NOEA - National Outdoor Events Association
• PLASA - Professional Lighting and Sound Association
• PSA - Production Services Association
• TNI - Tourism Northern Ireland
• UVL - Unique Venues of London
• VisitBritain
• VisitScotland Business Events
• Visit Wales
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