The council, which includes representatives from British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, VisitBritain and Center Parcs, was set up earlier this year by chair Barbara Follett MP, the tourism minister.
She set up the group after January's tourism summit, where the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of the industry to the UK economy. It was also a recommendation in VisitBritain's 'British Tourism Framework Review'.
The council will provide direct regular contact between Government and the industry, to identify how ministers can support the sector through the economic downturn and provide a flexible and collaborative response to promote future success.
Follett said: ‘By working together the British tourism industry can emerge from this economic downturn stronger than ever.
‘The advisory council has a vital role to play because it will provide government with the timely, sector specific intelligence that will allow us to direct help and advice to the areas that most need it.
‘With over 1.4m jobs in the British tourist industry, we must do all we can to support it through the good times and the bad.’
The work of the council will also feed in to the newly reformed inter-ministerial group on tourism which will see ministers from across Government meet to discuss ways to support the industry.
The Tourism Advisory Council will meet three times a year.
The full list of organisations with representation on the board is: Travelodge, Tourism Alliance, Hand-Picked Hotels, Eastnor Castle Estates Company, Arora International Hotels, Barcelo Hotels UK, Number One Hotels Ltd, Southwest Regional Development Agency, VisitBritain, VisitEngland, Eurostar, Bourne Leisure, Virgin Atlantic, Park Resorts, VisitScotland, Hoeseasons, Welsh Assembly Government, VisitLondon, Centre Parcs and British Airways.
See also:
Carrick calls for Government tourism support (02/02/2009)
VisitBritain to advise Government (13/01/2009)
Tourism bodies call for more Govt support (11/11/2008)