The new Tourism Advisory Council, created to support the UK's tourism industry has had its first meeting chaired by tourism minister Barbara Follett.

Follett formed the council following January's tourism summit to help identify how ministers can better support the sector through the recession.

The work of the council, which will meet three times a year, will also feed into the newly reformed inter-ministerial group on tourism, which will see ministers from across government meet to discuss ways to support the industry.

Barbara Follett said: "By working together the British tourism industry can emerge from this economic downturn stronger than ever. The advisory council has a vital role to play because it will provide Government with the timely, sector specific intelligence that will allow us to direct help and advice to the areas that most need it.

"With more 1.4 million jobs in the British tourist industry, we must do all we can to support it through the good times and the bad."

Members of the council include executives from Travelodge, Tourism Alliance, Arora International Hotels, VisitBritain, VisitEngland, Eurostar, Virgin Atlantic, Park Resorts, Welsh Assembly Government, British Airways and Visit London.