The UK’s Minister for Tourism turned up at the World Travel Market to declare ‘the UK is open for business’ but then refused to answer any questions about Brexit.

Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, visited the UK stand at the giant trade show, which attracts 50,000 travel professionals from around the world, at the ExCel Centre in London.

When asked what message he had for UK tourism in the light of Brexit he refused to answer the question leaving his aides to say: ‘We’re not here to talk about Brexit.’

Minister Michael Ellis with UK tourism chiefs at World Travel Market (Picture: WTM)

UK tourism chiefs told the minister they wanted the world to know: ‘The UK is open for business’ which he relayed to anyone who would listen until the thorny issue of Brexit reared its ugly head.




One French delegate, who did not want to be named, said: ‘Brexit is the only thing about the UK that people want to know about now. Why does the minister not want to talk about it?’

On Twitter, Michael Ellis said he had a great time at the World Travel Market.

Fascinating to visit the @WTM_London World Travel Market today, seeing firsthand the brilliant and varied offer that UK tourism provides and meeting Tourism counterparts from around the world. #WTMLDN pic.twitter.com/VO3Km44kQS — Michael Ellis (@Michael_Ellis1) November 5, 2018

He said: ‘This is the biggest event of its type in the world and is fantastic for networking. We are seeing increased interest in tourism.

‘We have to send out the message we are open for business, and for visitors and we have a vibrant travel market.’

#IdeasArriveHere and the UK is open for business says Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism @Michael_Ellis1 live from Day 1 of #WTMLDN pic.twitter.com/OfmGKeWIsv — WTM London (@WTM_London) November 5, 2018

He said: ‘Fascinating to visit the World Travel Market today, seeing firsthand the brilliant and varied offer that UK tourism provides and meeting tourism counterparts from around the world.’

The Department of Culture, Media and Tourism tweeted: ‘Tourism Minister Michael Ellis has been at the World Travel Market this morning, along with 5,000 exhibitors from 82 countries, championing the UK’s booming tourism industry which is worth £66bn to the economy #TourismIsGreat.’

The Department of Culture, Media and Tourism tweeted: ‘Tourism Minister Michael Ellis has been at the World Travel Market this morning, along with 5,000 exhibitors from 82 countries, championing the UK’s booming tourism industry which is worth £66bn to the economy #TourismIsGreat.’

Brexit was discussed at WTM, with Euromonitor claiming a no deal Brexit would boost inbound tourism to the UK by pushing down the value of the pound by around 10%.

And Johan Lundgren, EasyJet chief executive, dismissed suggestions that aircraft would be unable to fly once the UK left the EU.

He said: ‘I am confident there will be a deal on aviation. The detail of it remains to be seen, but we are assuming bare bones connectivity, nobody disagrees on that.’

Other attractions at WTM included a 100sqm digital archway, installed by Elonex, ‘to engage, inter-attract and connect with customers, visitors and exhibitors’, its live footage gave an welcome to all using its own bespoke technology.

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