HL Deb 27 January 2003 vol 643 cc137-8WA
Lord learn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What roles (a) regional tourist boards and (b) regional development agencies play in tourism in their areas. [HL1099]

Baroness Blackstone

From 1 April 2003, the regional development agencies (RDAs) will play a stronger role in the strategic leadership of tourism and will receive at least £3.6 million from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for each of the next three years. They will consider tourism in the context of their corporate plans, regional economic strategies and the targets by which they are monitored. We see the regional tourist boards (RTBs) as their natural delivery partners. RDAs will distribute DCMS tourism funds to the RTBs for activities in line with regional sustainable tourism strategies and the national policy framework. For a transitional period of three years, they will thus fund tourism strategy delivery with at least the sums currently received via the English Tourism Council. In line with regional priorities, some RDAs have already confirmed additional funding for tourism.