A coalition of leading tourism and events organisations has written to government calling for the urgent restoration of ringfenced funding for VisitBritain's Business Events Growth Programme (BEGP), warning that the UK risks falling behind international competitors in the race to attract high-value business events.
The joint letter, sent by Tourism Alliance and UKEVENTS to secretary of state for culture, media and sport Lisa Nandy and tourism minister Chris Bryant, follows confirmation that VisitBritain no longer has ringfenced funding for business events and has restructured its specialist business events team.
Signed by organisations including UKHospitality, UKinbound, ETOA, beam, ABPCO, NOEA and The Power of Events, the letter argues that the decision threatens one of the UK's strongest-performing visitor economy programmes.
According to the groups, the Business Events Growth Programme generated £60.6m in direct economic return from less than £1.8m of government investment since its launch in 2018, delivering a reported 35:1 return on investment.
The letter states: "The decision to withdraw ringfenced funding leaves the UK isolated among its international competitors, all of whom are moving in the opposite direction."
Industry leaders point to growing investment in business events by countries including Australia, Canada, Singapore and the UAE, arguing that the UK risks weakening its position in a highly competitive international market.
Glenn Bowdin, chair of UKEVENTS, said: "The global competition for business events is intensifying. Countries are investing more, not less. Without comparable support, the UK risks falling behind in a high-value global market."
The coalition warns that the loss of national coordination and specialist bid support could affect future international congress and convention bids, including major events scheduled through to 2030.
Among the events highlighted are bids for the International Congress of Mathematicians in Glasgow, the World Electric Vehicle Symposium in Birmingham and the ITS World Congress.
The letter also argues that the impact extends beyond delegate spending, citing wider benefits including trade deals, inward investment, research collaboration and skills development.
Eddy Leviten, executive director of Tourism Alliance, said: "A programme delivering this level of return is not a cost centre - it is a growth asset. Ending dedicated support risks losing future international trade, inward investment and high-value delegate spend."
The signatories are calling on government to assess the impact on current event bids, restore ringfenced funding for a national business events programme and engage with industry representatives as part of the forthcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy.
