Oxfordshire’s Liberal Democrat MPs have voiced support for investment in transport, skills and tourism growth during a high-level Visitor Economy Roundtable hosted by Experience Oxfordshire.
Calum Miller MP (Bicester and Woodstock) and Charlie Maynard MP (Witney) joined industry representatives and stakeholders online nearly twenty months after their election to Parliament. The session brought together partners from across the county’s visitor economy to discuss strengths, pressures and future opportunities.
Attendees included representatives from local authorities, academia and the national tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland, alongside Experience Oxfordshire partners from hospitality, retail, transport, cultural venues and visitor attractions.
The discussion highlighted both the sector’s significant economic contribution and the mounting challenges facing businesses.
Concerns were raised over VAT rates for heritage and cultural attractions, the removal of the VAT refund scheme for overseas visitors, and rising employment costs. Businesses also called for greater central government investment in road, bus and rail infrastructure, as well as a stronger focus on placemaking and community development.
Participants discussed the ongoing consultation into local government reorganisation proposals and encouraged stakeholders to engage with and respond to the plans.
In response, both MPs acknowledged the pressures facing the sector while underlining the benefits the visitor economy brings to their constituents. They emphasised the importance of collaboration to maintain Oxfordshire’s standing as a globally recognised destination.
Hayley Beer-Gamage, CEO of Experience Oxfordshire, chaired the discussion and said afterwards:
“We are extremely grateful to our MPs Calum Miller and Charlie Maynard for joining our roundtable discussion, and to the many Experience Oxfordshire partners and key influencers from across the county who took the time to come together to discuss Oxfordshire’s visitor economy and the challenges facing our sector.
“Tourism contributes £2.4 billion to our local economy and supports 11% of the workforce. As a visitor destination, the county benefits from its strong geographical position, outstanding natural and built assets, and world-renowned heritage.
“However, we are facing increasing competition, from both other UK destinations and internationally, making it more important than ever that we work collaboratively to protect, strengthen and develop our offer to visitors. It was therefore extremely encouraging to hear how positively our MPs view the sector, along with their clear commitment to continued engagement and support with us and our partners.”
According to a recent Economic Value of Tourism report from VisitBritain/VisitEngland, tourism accounts for at least 4 per cent of UK GDP and 5 per cent of employment nationwide. Driven by inbound travel, the sector is forecast to grow by more than 9 per cent by 2030 — outpacing overall UK economic growth — reaching a value of £161 billion and creating an additional 175,000 jobs.
Experience Oxfordshire is the county’s official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) and Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP). Operating as a not-for-profit partnership and the trading arm of Experience Oxfordshire Charitable Trust, the organisation works to promote, manage and develop Oxfordshire as a leading destination to live, work, visit and do business, while supporting sustainable growth, productivity and long-term resilience across the visitor economy.
