This section provides contact details for the various organisations mentioned throughout the site plus some definitions and explanations.
VisitBritain provides market intelligence online free of charge - see www.tourismtrade.org.uk/MarketIntelligenceResearch/default.asp
Local tourist organisations' activities vary from region to region, but general information on tourism within the region, development plans, regional tourism trends and statistics.
Note! Some of these services may be restricted to members.
The contact details for the regional development agencies and regional delivery partners are set out below.
There are nine RDAs.
These are as follows.
These include the following.
The BAHA monitors safety standards and quality within the activity sector throughout the British Isles. BAHA also provides a detailed consumer guide which is available on request.
BHHPA is the representative body of the parks industry including caravans, chalets and tents and all types of self-catering park accommodation.
The BHA represents hotels (mostly 10+ rooms), restaurants and catering establishments, and distributes guidance notes to members.
The BRADA represents the interests of resorts and destinations throughout the UK.
The EASCO is a trade association for self-catering operators from individual owners through to the agencies and associations.
The Farm Holiday Bureau is a co-operative of 1200 farmers throughout the UK who provide serviced and self-catering accommodation on working farms.
Holiday Care, a national charity, is the UK’s central source of travel and holiday information for disabled people, older people and carers.
People 1st is the Sector Skills Council for the hospitality and tourism sector. It is the lead agency on all issues relating to education, training and qualification within the sector.
NCC is the representative trade body for the UK caravan industry involved in setting standards and promoting quality. NCC operates the Product Approval Scheme for new caravans to ensure compliance with minimum health and safety standards.
Use the learndirect online database of courses at www.learndirect-advice.co.uk or call on 0800 100900. Contact your local Business Link, the Business Link Helpline on 0845 600 9006, or your local library.
The Grants and Support Directory (GSD) allows you to search for potential sources of help with starting up a business or business development. It is available online at www.businesslink.gov.uk.
Contact your bank about competitive arrangements for small businesses. An accountant or financial advisor will also be able to advise you. For information on book keeping/accounts courses, contact Business Link, as above, or your local library. In certain cases, the government may be willing to act as a guarantor of loans to small business proposals. Contact your local Business Link or the Helpline, 0845 600 9006.
Go to www.businesslink.gov.uk or contact your local Business Link and your regional tourist board.
Go to www.envirowise.gov.uk or phone 0800 585794.
Contact your regional tourist board, your local tourist information centre, or your local authority tourism officer.
VisitBritain also provides market intelligence online free of charge - see http://www.tourismtrade.org.uk/MarketIntelligenceResearch/default.asp
Contact your regional tourist board, EnjoyEngland, any local tourism marketing initiative, or your local authority tourism officer.
Contact Business Links and your regional tourist board.
The publications mentioned within individual legislation sections are available from the following organisations.
(The Geographical Journal)
(The voice of the British Hospitality Association)
British Activity Holiday Association - The BAHA monitors safety and quality standards in the activity sector throughout Britain, as well as providing a consumer guide.
Outward Bound Trust - A charity whose main purpose is to provide challenging personal development courses for young people, based primarily in the outdoors. In addition, it is a trading subsidiary providing management development courses.
BAA plc - BAA is the largest global airport operator. The company owns and operates seven UK airports and have management contracts or stakes in ten airports outside the UK, plus retail management contracts at two USA airports.
Civil Aviation Authority - The CAA is the UK’s independent aviation regulator, with all civil aviation regulatory functions including economic regulation, airspace policy, safety regulation and consumer protection.
Arts Council England - Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts.
British Arts Festivals Association - Represents over 50 of the major arts festivals in the UK, for joint promotion at home and abroad.
British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech - Advice and information service for amateur music, dance, drama and speech festivals.
British Film Institute - Develops the art of film-making and administers the National Film Theatre, and National Film Archive.
Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) - This trade association for Scotland’s visitor attractions provides development and marketing advice, workshops, conferences and regular communication for the industry.
Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) - This trade association for Scotland’s visitor attractions provides development and marketing advice, workshops, conferences and regular communication for the industry.
Historic Houses Association (HHA) - Represents 1,500 private owners of historic houses, castles, parks and gardens in Britain.
National Farm Attractions Network - Helps farmers to diversify from farming to operating attractions. Also works with other rural attractions, such as small stately homes and water-powered woollen mills.
Blue Flag Campaign - Annual awards given for beaches across Europe and South Africa which have a very high quality of cleanliness and facilities on land and sea.
Excellence in England Awards - An award scheme which recognises the highest level of professionalism covering all sectors of domestic tourism.
Tourism for All - The Tourism for All Consortium brings together a range of public, private and voluntary bodies to work towards accessible mainstream tourism.
Association for Conferences and Events (ACE) - The conference industry’s forum for communication.
Association of British Professional Conference Organisers - The only association in the British Isles whose membership comprises exclusively Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs).
British Association of Conference Destinations (BACD) - BACD is a membership organisation representing approximately 80 conference destinations and more than 3,000 venues throughout the British Isles.
Incentive Travel and Meetings Association (ITMA) - ITMA is the UK-based trade association for organisations that provide business solutions through the use of corporate events – including meetings, product launches and travel incentives.
Visit London Business and Conventions - The London Tourist Board is the official tourist organisation for London. The Convention Bureau department of the LTB promotes London as a conference, meeting and exhibition city.
Meetings Industry Association - Subscription-based organisation comprising both suppliers and buyers of conference venues.
British Holiday and Home Parks Association - The representative body of the parks’ industry, including park homes, caravans, chalets, tents and all types of self-catering park accommodation.
Camping and Caravanning Club Ltd - Embraces all aspects of camping and caravanning.
Caravan Club - Europe’s premier club for touring caravanners, motorcaravanners and trailer tent campers, offering sites and a wide range of related services.
National Caravan Council - The representative trade body for the UK caravan industry, involved in setting standards and promoting quality.
British Naturalists’ Association - The association aims to study and research as well as encourage the education of the public in all branches of natural history and to actively support the conservation of wildlife.
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) - The UK’s largest conservation charity, supporting the activities of over 130,000 volunteers every year in steps to improve the environment. BTCV runs over 500 Conservation Holidays annually across the UK.
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) - CPRE is a registered charity that exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England, by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country.
Civic Trust - The Civic Trust is the leading charity devoted to enhancing the quality of life in Britain’s cities, towns and villages: the places where people live, work, shop and relax.
Countryside Agency - Official adviser to the government on countryside matters. It also works to conserve the beauty of the English countryside and to help people enjoy it.
Countryside Alliance - The Countryside Alliance champions the countryside, country sports and the rural way of life. It is a political force and the main consultative rural voice in the UK.
English Heritage - The government’s principal advisor on the built heritage in England and concerned with all aspects of the historic environment. Its principal activities include the management, conservation and marketing of over 400 ancient properties in its direct care.
English Historic Towns Forum - A membership organisation promoting and reconciling prosperity and conservation in historic towns.
English Nature - The statutory nature conservation service for the wildlife and natural features of England.
The Environment Agency - Aims to protect and improve the environment in England and Wales.
Environmental Campaigns (EnCams) - An environmental charity which runs the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign and the Going for Green brand.
Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland - Encourages the care and welfare of wild animals in captivity and the participation in the conservation of species.
Forestry Commission - The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for the protection and expansion of Britain’s forests and woodlands.
Friends of the Earth - Friends of the Earth is the world’s largest network of environmental groups. The organisation campaigns and provides information in order to promote the rational and sustainable use of the earth’s resources, to minimise pollution and to maintain biodiversity.
Green Globe 21 - An organisation which specialises in developing environmental management and awareness for the travel and tourism industry, and provides practical means through which companies can improve their environmental performance.
Historic Churches Preservation Trust - Offers grants for essential fabric repairs to Christian churches that are 100 years old and over.
Historic Royal Palaces - Historic Royal Palaces is responsible for the care, conservation and presentation to the public of the unoccupied royal palaces: HM Tower of London; Hampton Court Palace; Kensington Palace State Apartments; the Banqueting House at Whitehall; and Kew Palace with Queen Charlotte’s Cottage.
Landmark Trust - An independent building preservation charity that rescues and restores architecturally interesting and historic buildings at risk and lets them for self-catering holidays. There are 170 landmarks, which include castles, towers, banqueting houses and a lighthouse.
National Trust - Preserves and presents to the public places of historic interest and natural beauty.
Open Spaces Society - Britain’s oldest national conservation body. The Open Spaces Society campaigns to protect common land, village greens, open spaces and public paths.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - The RSPB is the charity that takes action for wild birds and the environment. It owns and manages 130 nature reserves, many of which are open to visitors.
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings - The largest, oldest and most technically expert national pressure group fighting to save old buildings from decay, demolition and damage.
Tourism Concern - Tourism Concern works with communities in destination countries to reduce social and environmental problems connected to tourism, and with outbound UK operators to find ways of improving tourism so that local benefits are increased.
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) - Concerned with the conservation of wetlands and their biodiversity.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK) - The world’s largest private international organisation working to protect our threatened environment.
Zoological Society of London - World-wide conservation, scientific and educational charity, which fights to conserve the natural world by breeding endangered species and by inspiring commitment to the conservation of wildlife and threatened habitats.
Which? Ltd - Trading subsidiary of the Association for Consumer Research (ACR), a registered charity which undertakes research and comparative testing of goods and services.
Crafts Council - The national body for promoting the crafts in England and Wales. Runs the Crafts Council Gallery and picture library, and gives grants and advice.
Disability Sport England (DSE) - DSE aims to develop, support and encourage people with a disability to participate in sport. Work is carried out at local, regional and national levels.
Holiday Care - Provides free holiday information and support for disabled and elderly people, single parents and others with specialist needs.
British Council - The British Council is Britain’s principal agent for promoting cultural, educational and technical co-operation between Britain and other countries.
Springboard UK - The body for vocational and educational support, careers information and enterprise for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries.
Farm Stay UK Ltd - A network of over 1,000 independent farmers who offer tourist board- and AA/RACapproved hospitality in cottages and farmhouses throughout the UK.
Brittany Ferries - Operates between the UK, France and Spain via the Western Channel routes.
P&O Ferries - Operates between the UK, France, Belgium, Northern Ireland and North West Spain.
Stena Line - Operates between the UK, France, Holland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
National Gardens Scheme - A registered charity which publishes Gardens of England and Wales Open for Charity – a guide to over 3,000 gardens which open their doors for charity.
Royal Horticultural Society - Helps and furthers the interest of gardeners, horticulturalists and botanists. Organises the Chelsea Flower Show and other gardening events around the country. Provides advice and benefits for gardeners all over the world.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport - The Department is responsible for the arts, libraries, museums, national heritage, the film industry, broadcasting, sport, tourism, press regulation and the National Lottery.
Millennium Commission - Responsible for spending Lottery money on projects put forward by the community in the new millennium.
Best Western Hotels Great Britain - An independent hotel consortium comprising the groups formerly known as Best Western Hotels and Consort Hotels. It offers a varied range of hotels with their own unique character.
Pride of Britain Hotels - Pride of Britain is comprised of over 30 privately-owned town house hotels, a cruise ship and the luxury train, The Royal Scotsman.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World - Small Luxury Hotels is one of the most exclusive hotel marketing consortia, specialising in top quality small hotels with great character and style.
British Hospitality Association - Trade protection association for all those proprietors engaged in running hotels, restaurants and other catering establishments. It has been the industry’s principal driving force to lobby government since it was formed over 90 years ago.
Campaign for Real Ale - A consumer organisation with over 64,000 individual members, which exists to protect traditional cask and bottle conditioned beer and traditional public houses. It produces the annual Good Beer Guide and runs over 140 beer festivals a year.
English Wine Producers - The marketing association for English wines and vineyards.
Food from Britain - Food from Britain assists UK food and drink manufacturers to develop their international business. It provides specialist marketing and international development services to the industry via a network of offices in key markets.
Hospitality Training Foundation - The company has 63 training centres nationally and provides training courses and consultancy services for the industry.
Hotel and Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) - Professional organisation for hotel and catering management.
International Hotels Environment Initiative - A non-profit organisation, made up of 12 global hotel chains, aiming to promote the benefits of environmental management as an integral part of running a successful, efficient hotel business.
Northern Ireland Hotels Federation - The Federation represents members’ interests and views to government, tourist boards and other organisations.
The Restaurant Association - The voice for the restaurant industry, leading the debate on issues such as deregulation legislation, licensing reform and the Smoking White Paper, and challenging other government initiatives where appropriate, both actual and potential.
Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM) - Professional institute representing managers of all aspects of leisure activity, including museums. Offers its own qualification scheme, the industry’s largest information centre, publications, fact sheets and a range of training and awareness events.
British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers & Attractions (BALPPA) - Trade association representing the interests of owners, managers, suppliers and developers in the UK’s commercial leisure parks, piers, zoos and static attractions sector.
Local Government Association (formerly the Association of District and County Councils and the Metropolitan Authorities) - An organisation representing all local authorities in England and Wales.
Association of Independent Museums (AIM) - Brings together museums not directly administered by central or local government. Represents the interests of the independent sector in all areas.
Campaign for Museums - Aims to increase visits, broaden public support and raise the profile of museums, managing the annual Museums and Gallery Month and organising conferences and promotions.
The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries - The strategic body working with and for museums, archives and libraries, tapping the potential for collaboration between them.
Museums Association - A non-governmental organisation which represents the interests of museum and gallery employees, museums and galleries as institutions, and their collections.
Association of National Park Authorities - The Association represents National Park Authorities in the UK to government at home and abroad, and provides a focus for shared experience and collaborative action.
Council for National Parks - The national charity which campaigns to keep the National Parks of England and Wales beautiful, and promotes their quiet enjoyment for everyone.
British Spas Federation - Marketing, promotional and representation organisation for UK spas.
Arts & Business - Its mission is to build creative partnerships between business and the arts.
Sport England - Aims to develop and improve the knowledge and practise of sport and recreation. Provides advice on sports sponsorship and public relations. Also distributes Sport England lottery funding.
The Football Association - The governing body for association football in England, promoting it both as a game to play and to watch. It protects the game and its clubs from abuses and prevents infringements of agreed rules.
The Ramblers’ Association - The Ramblers’ Association is Britain’s biggest organisation working for walkers. A registered charity with 139,000 members across England, Scotland and Wales, the Association aims to protect the network of public paths, to create National Trails, and to improve people’s health and the quality of life through walking.
Society of London Theatre - The Society of London Theatre is the trade association which represents the producers, theatre owners and managers of the major commercial and grant-aided theatres in central London. The society has also developed a range of audience-development programmes to promote theatre-going.
Theatrical Management Association - A trade association of people and organisations throughout the UK professionally involved in the production and presentation of the performing arts. Members include repertory and producing theatres, arts centres and touring venues, major national companies and independent producers, opera and dance companies, and associated individuals and businesses.
Guild of Registered Tourist Guides - Establishes and supports the status of the profession; maintains and improves its standards of efficiency and conduct.
British Waterways - Provides information on all aspects of inland waterways for press, industry and the public (Consumer website: www.waterscape.com )
Broads Authority - A statutory organisation responsible for conservation, navigation, recreation and planning in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.
Coach Tourism Council - Aims to improve the image of the coach industry and raise awareness of coach travel and tourism.
Confederation of Passenger Transport UK - The national trade association representing UK bus, coach, light rail and metro operators.
National Express Ltd - Operates 900 coaches daily on a network of express coach services serving 1,200 destinations in England, Wales and Scotland.
Port of London Authority - The navigation and safety authority for the River Thames, responsible for promoting tourism along London’s historic river.
Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) - Set up by the government to provide a focus and strategic direction for Britain’s railways.
Transport for London - Responsible for strategic planning, fares, finance, travel information and design policy of the capital’s transport system. Also manages London’s Transport Museum.
Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) - ABTA is a trade association representing the UK’s travel agents and tour operators.
British Incoming Tour Operators’ Association (BITOA) - The association representing the commercial and political interests of incoming tour operators and suppliers to the British inbound tourism industry.
British Resorts and Destinations Association (BRADA) - Association representing the interests of resorts and destinations throughout the UK.
Institute of Travel and Tourism - Develops the professionalism of its members within the industry.
The Tourism Management Institute - The Tourism Management Institute aims to represent professionals at all levels in tourism destination management, including visitor attractions, Tourist Information Centres, National Parks, museums, National and Regional Tourist Boards, as well as national and local government.
The Tourism Society - Members forum to promote and enhance professionalism within tourism.
World Tourism Organisation - The leading international organisation in the field of travel and tourism.
World Travel and Tourism Council - The World Travel and Tourism Council is the forum for global business leaders comprising the presidents, chairs and CEOs of 100 of the world’s foremost companies. It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the travel and tourism industry worldwide.
Youth Hostels Association (England and Wales) - Operates 225 youth hostels throughout England and Wales, and provides activity holidays.