WTM London welcomes new UK Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock

International

Strengthened government ties mark a new era of collaboration for Britain’s leading travel event

Stephanie Peacock, newly appointed UK Minister for Tourism, will make her first official appearance in the role at the opening day of World Travel Market (WTM) London 2025, the world’s most influential travel and tourism event, taking place at ExCeL London from 4–6 November 2025.

Official debut at WTM London opening ceremony

Minister Peacock will begin her day as part of the official opening ceremony on Tuesday, 4 November, at 09:00, joined by Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, this year’s Premier Partner. Her attendance underscores the UK government’s renewed engagement with the travel and tourism industry.

Following the opening, Peacock will attend the UN Ministers’ Summit, co-hosted by UN Tourism, WTTC, and WTM London. Now in its 19th edition, the summit is the world’s largest annual gathering of tourism ministers, advisors, and private-sector leaders. Peacock will deliver a short opening address before hosting a closed EU roundtable on sustainable tourism at 14:00.

Later, she will join a C-suite panel discussion, “Soft Power Advantage: Leveraging the UK’s Global Influence,” scheduled for 15:00 in the Yellow Theatre, open to all WTM visitors. In the evening, the minister will attend the Ministerial Reception at the Churchill War Rooms, an exclusive networking dinner for delegates of the UN Ministers’ Summit.

“A stronger government presence than ever before”

“We’re delighted to welcome the new Tourism Minister and proud that she has made WTM London a priority in her schedule,” said Chris Carter-Chapman, Event Director of WTM London. “We look forward to introducing her to key industry leaders and discussing inbound, outbound, and domestic tourism — areas where WTM plays a vital role in supporting the UK tourism sector.”

A new chapter for tourism leadership

Peacock took over the tourism brief in September 2025 as part of her expanded role within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) — the department overseeing culture, media, sport, tourism, and civil society in England. While tourism remains a devolved matter in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the DCMS funds VisitBritain, which operates VisitEngland and collaborates with devolved tourism bodies to promote Britain as a year-round destination.

Her predecessor, Sir Chris Bryant, who served just over a year as Tourism Minister, will also attend WTM London in his new position as Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade. Bryant is scheduled to appear on Thursday, 6 November, where he will host the closing keynote interview with actor and writer Richard E. Grant at 15:30 on the Yellow Stage.

“It’s encouraging that Sir Chris continues to champion tourism in his new role,” added Carter-Chapman. “His ongoing involvement highlights the importance of tourism as a key component of the UK’s overall balance of trade.”

Tourism’s vital role in the UK economy

Tourism contributes £145.8 billion to the UK economy, equivalent to 6.5% of GDP, and supports 3.8 million jobs, including 1.6 million directly within the sector. Nearly 330,000 businesses operate in tourism — three out of four of them microbusinesses.

WTM London itself is a major driver of the capital’s economy: last year’s event attracted over 40,000 travel professionals, with 82% visiting from overseas, generating an estimated £200 million in visitor spending on accommodation, transport, and entertainment.

Strengthening industry-government partnership

“With VisitBritain confirmed as Premier Partner, this year’s WTM London reflects a deeper alignment between the travel industry and the UK government,” concluded Carter-Chapman. “It’s a clear sign of how crucial tourism is to Britain’s economy — and of WTM London’s role as the platform where global travel connects, collaborates, and grows.”