The Culture, Media and Sport Committee have today released a national report on tourism.
Its findings conclude that give the size of tourism’s contribution to the national coffers, there’ not enough recognition or support for the sector.
Some highlights from the report include:
- Support for tourism in England was damaged by the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies without putting in place adequate arrangements for tourism promotion.
- With sufficient resources, VisitEngland is well placed to move more decisively into the organisational vacuum left by the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies and the Regional Tourist Boards, and could better coordinate the disparate efforts of some 200 local Destination Management Organisations
- Reductions in VAT and Air Passenger Duty would make the UK offer even better value for money to holidaymakers, business travellers and students: the Government should give full consideration to this.
- Too many regulations are ill-fitted to the world of small businesses that characterise much of the tourism industry: the Government should take forward with greater speed the recommendations of the Tourism Regulation Taskforce, updated as necessary.
- Many tourism businesses are small and struggle to have their voices heard: giving people like professional tourist guides a voice on the Tourism Industry Council would be a step forward, but most important of all, tourism needs a stronger voice in Government.
Stephens: “Vital that councils have the power and funding”
In his role as Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, Cllr Ian Stephens, said,
“Councils have long recognised and supported the value of tourism to local growth, jobs and prosperity and the important part that this has played in the country’s financial recovery.
“Local authorities and partners are best placed to know what will help local tourism grow and it is positive that this report has highlighted the need for the Government to better coordinate tourism funding for councils and businesses.
“It is vital that councils have the power and funding locally to support tourism and encourage growth through investing in culture and heritage, hosting major events, ensuring good transport facilities and maintaining clean, safe and attractive public spaces if we want to unlock the potential for further future growth.”
John Whittingdale MP, Chair of the Committee, said:
“The tourism sector is a major part of the UK’s economy and creates millions of jobs, involving a lot of small businesses and unique features such as seasonality and uncertainty in customer demand. Given the size of its contribution, there is not enough recognition of or support for the sector or adaptations to its unique features.
“Tourism needs a stronger voice, and Government should look at how the burden of regulation and taxation on the tourism industry could be lightened to boost its contribution even further.”
Full details can be found below in the report embedded below. Click on the full screen icon to see larger version.
Image: Simon Haytack under CC BY 2.0
