London Tourist Board

The London Tourist Board was established in 1963 and became the official regional tourist board for London under the Development of Tourism Act in 1969. It was responsible for the marketing and promotion of the capital, providing tourist information services, and recommending improvements to the infrastructure and facilities for the growth of tourism. In 2003, it was renamed VisitLondon. In 2011, it was put into administration by the Greater London Authority, and the tourism responsibility was transferred to a new company, London & Partners.

Tourism in London is now one of London’s three most important industries (with finance and retailing). When the London Tourist Board was founded in 1963 a mere 1.6 million overseas visitors came to London, in the year 2010 this had grown to 10 million, plus 16 million from overseas. The London Tourist Board set up by industry representatives including Sir Charles Forte, later Lord Forte, famous hotelier, with support from the London County Council, played a major role in promoting London, in providing information for visitors, establishing standards and in shaping the tourism product we see today. Throughout its 40-year history London Tourist Board receive up to 70 per cent of its funding from public sources (Greater London Council, English Tourist Board, London Boroughs and Greater London Authority).

This article explores the history and achievements of the London Tourist Board and the London Visitor and Convention Bureau, leading to the establishment of Visit London in 2003. Visit London took over the marketing of London, while the London Development Agency was responsible for planning, research and development. In 2011, Visit London was put into administration by the Greater London Authority (its main funder) and replaced with a new organisation, London & Partners.

The London Tourist Board (LTB) was founded on 16 May 1963 by representatives of the tourist industry led by Sir Charles Forte, later Lord Forte. Its first objectives were:

...
Wikipedia