Image: Michael Hirst is new Tourism Alliance chair

A three-year Tourism Alliance strategy targeting five "core issues" in need of government action has been launched by the organisation's newly-elected chair, Michael Hirst.

Hirst has succeeded Brigid Simmonds as chair of the UK sector's umbrella agency, which represents more than 50 businesses spanning the entire tourism industry.

In his new role, Hirst has called on the government to address the issues such as providing adequate aviation capacity and reducing VAT in order to boost the UK's competitiveness.

The other three issues contained in the strategy call for a review of Air Passenger Duty; a reduction in regulations affecting the sector; and the facilitiation of visa applications.

According to the Tourism Alliance, resolving all five issues will enable the tourism sector to drive economic growth, generate jobs and generate inward investment.

Hirst said: "Over the last ten years the Alliance has created the one voice for tourism so desperately needed by such a diverse but vitally important economic sector.

"Stressing tourism's pivotal role in the UK's growth agenda and highlighting its economic and social relevance is a task that all members of the Alliance are committed to doing."

Details: www.tourismalliance.com