Senior MPs from across government came together with leading figures from hospitality, retail, tourism and the wider visitor economy in Westminster on Thursday 29th January 2026 for the official parliamentary launch of the Unlocking Britain’s Visitor Economy campaign.
The parliamentary lunch, hosted by Downtown in Business in partnership with Liverpool Business Improvement District, brought together policymakers and industry leaders from across the UK to address the mounting pressures facing high streets, city centres and the visitor economy — and to outline a practical, pro-growth reform agenda.
Discussions focused on the urgent need for stronger, smarter support for hospitality and retail businesses, with the campaign calling for fairer business rates outcomes, tougher action on city-centre safety and retail crime, reforms to skills and staffing policy, greater planning and licensing flexibility, modernised Package Travel regulations, and business-led investment models such as Accommodation Business Improvement Districts (ABIDs).
The launch reflected the national scale of the campaign, with representatives attending from across the UK including UK Hospitality, Newcastle BID, Wrexham BID, and Manchester, represented by Thom Hetherington, alongside senior operators, retailers and place leaders.
Senior parliamentary figures in attendance included Chris Webb MP and Chair of the visitor economy APPG, Kim Johnson MP, Peter Dowd MP and Bill Esterson MP, highlighting strong engagement with the future of the visitor economy.
The parliamentary launch marked the start of a national campaign programme, which will include regional and national conferences, a major London event, industry roundtables, the publication of a Visitor Economy Manifesto, and sustained engagement with ministers, MPs, metro mayors and the media.
