UK Tourism minister out in cabinet reshuffle, unlikely to be replaced

UK’s Tourism minister John Penrose became the latest casualty of government reshuffle today when he stood down from the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)…Penrose had been minister for tourism and heritage since the 2010 general election. No replacement has yet been announced and it appears the number of DCMS ministers has been reduced.

Meanwhile, ABTA, the UK travel agents association, expressed dismay at tourism minister’s departure and is concerned at the prospect that he will not be replaced. In statement to TravelWeekly UK it said: “The government has said tourism is a key driver of economic growth and it is vital we have clear leadership in place at a time when the tourism legacy from the Olympics needs to be secured and the contribution from outbound, inbound and domestic tourism still needs to be properly understood.”