![\"UK](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tourism-Summit-1-scaled-e1746148618980.jpg\")
Credit: Steve Dunlop<\/p>\nThe\u00a0Minister for Tourism, Sir Chris Bryant MP, has praised the cruise industry and embraced its place in the UK\u2019s tourism ecosystem at the\u00a0Cruise Lines International\u00a0Association\u2019s (CLIA)\u00a0inaugural UK Cruise Tourism Summit in Liverpool.<\/p>\n
The Summit\u00a0brought\u00a0together industry leaders, alongside government, representatives from the UK\u2019s devolved administrations, as well as ports and visit groups. Together, they discussed\u00a0how\u00a0cruise can be at the heart of the UK\u00a0Government\u2019s upcoming tourism strategy and how they can work collaboratively so the cruise industry can help the UK\u00a0Government achieve its aim of boosting inbound tourism to 50 million\u00a0people\u00a0a year by 2030.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After joining the UK Government\u2019s Visitor Economy Advisory Council earlier this year, CLIA hosted this first of its kind event to showcase the important role of cruise in the UK\u2019s inbound, outbound and domestic tourism ecosystem, calling for a joined-up approach across government to maximise the opportunities that cruise tourism brings to the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Credit: Steve Dunlop<\/p>\n
The Summit celebrated\u00a0the economic and social benefits that cruising brings, as well as the opportunities that come from the industry\u2019s sustainable and responsible growth. It also put a spotlight on the more than 60,000 jobs that cruise tourism supports in the UK, including those at UK ports and in the supply chain across all parts of the country.<\/p>\n
The Summit kicked off with a launch reception, hosted by Liverpool Cruise Port and Global Ports Holding, the world\u2019s largest cruise port operator, where the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, and the General Manager of Liverpool Cruise Port, John Mawer, welcomed delegates to the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It continued\u00a0today onboard Celebrity Cruises\u2019 Celebrity Eclipse, where Minister for Tourism, Sir Chris Bryant MP, provided a keynote address that reflected on opportunities that cruise tourism brings to the UK as part of the wider tourism industry.\u00a0Other speakers included Celebrity Cruises\u2019 Vice President International, Giles Hawke, and CLIA\u2019s UK Managing Director, Andy Harmer, as well as Diane Glover from\u00a0the Beatle\u2019s\u00a0Story, talking about how their business benefits from cruise tourism.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sir Chris Bryant MP,\u00a0Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts & Tourism<\/strong>, said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe\u00a0cruise\u00a0industry is a vital component of the UK\u2019s tourism ecosystem, supporting high quality jobs and bringing opportunities for many of our coastal communities. From beautiful islands and coastal towns, to world-famous heritage sites, or any of our four capital cities,\u00a0cruise\u00a0guests get to experience the very best of what our country offers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is fantastic to be in Liverpool and to join representatives from across the industry as we celebrate its contributions to the UK and consider how its benefits can spread even further.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith our rich history \u2013 from music and culture to football and of course our maritime heritage \u2013 Liverpool is a global city that\u2019s firmly on the bucket list for travellers from all over the world. Cruise ships bring thousands of visitors here every year to experience everything we\u2019ve got to offer.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really pleased that the industry has chosen Liverpool for its first ever cruise tourism Summit. It shows just how far we\u2019ve come. We\u2019re proud to play a leading role in shaping the future of the sector \u2013 and making the case for a joined-up, national approach that helps cruise tourism grow in a way that benefits more people, businesses and communities across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Andy Harmer OBE, Managing Director, CLIA UK & Ireland<\/strong>, said:<\/p>\n \u201cCruise\u00a0plays a\u00a0vital\u00a0role in\u00a0the UK\u2019s\u00a0visitor economy, supporting many of our coastal communities, and enabling international guests from all over the world to see some of the very best that the country has to offer.\u00a0To help grow the benefits of cruise tourism, it is important that we continue to work with governments, visitor groups and other key partners, so that we can sustainably grow cruise tourism in the UK and\u00a0ensure\u00a0a great experience for both our guests and local residents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are\u00a0delighted to host this inaugural Summit\u00a0during one of Celebrity\u2019s round-Britain cruises. From Liverpool to Lerwick, Ynys M\u00f4n to Inverness, and Derry to Dover, our guests love to discover all that the UK has to offer. The UK is an important destination for Royal Caribbean Group, both in terms of outbound cruises from our homeport in Southampton, but also as a destination for inbound cruises that call in every corner of the country.\u201d<\/p>\n John Mawer, General Manager, Liverpool Cruise Port<\/strong>, said:<\/p>\n \u201cLiverpool Cruise Port is proud to be a driving force in the UK cruise industry. As part of Global Ports Holding, we\u2019re focused on unlocking the full potential of cruise tourism for the city and the wider region. Achieving this growth means working closely with local partners and aligning with a nationwide strategy for the sector. The recent addition of Greenock Cruise Port in Scotland to the Global Ports Holding network further strengthens our presence in the UK, enhancing our ability to deliver exceptional experiences to cruise passengers. We\u2019re honoured that CLIA has chosen Liverpool to host its inaugural Cruise Tourism Summit, and to showcase our vibrant city to leaders from across the industry and government.\u201d<\/p>\n Find out the latest in Liverpool here.<\/a><\/p>\n Find out what\u2019s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North \u2013 visit\u00a0thenorthernguide.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram\u00a0HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n ![\"UK](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Steve-Rotheram-Mayor-of-Liverpool-City-Region-scaled-e1746148629284.jpg\")
Credit: Steve Dunlop
\nSteve Rotheram,\u00a0Mayor of the Liverpool City Region<\/strong>, said: <\/p>\n![\"UK](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Giles-Hawke-Vice-President-International-Celebrity-Cruises-scaled-e1746148664603.jpeg\")
Giles Hawke (Credit: Steve Dunlop)
\nGiles Hawke,\u00a0Vice President International,\u00a0Celebrity Cruises<\/strong>, said:<\/p>\n