Tourism (London) (Hansard, 27 July 1981)

§ 10. Mr. Nicholas Baker
asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many foreign tourists have visited London in the current year compared with last year.

§ 19. Mr. Banks
asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many foreign tourists have visited London in 1981 compared with 1980.

§ Mrs. Sally Oppenheim
Provisional figures from the international passenger survey for up to only the end of the first quarter of 1981—the latest available—show that some 1.11 million foreign visitors—excluding those from the Irish Republic—spent at least one night in the capital compared with 1.22 million in the same period in 1980.

§ Mr. Baker
Does my right hon. Friend accept that, although we want a strong and well-balanced tourist industry, those who live and work in London or who have come here this week to enjoy the celebrations will be pleased at some measure of relief? Does she agree that uninhibited development of mass tourism eventually destroys the thing that tourists have come to see?

§ Mrs. Oppenheim
I welcome my hon. Friend's remark in one sense. Although the number of foreign tourists is marginally down, the number of domestic tourists to London in the first quarter of the year is very much up. Not only are the numbers higher; domestic tourists have spent more nights and substantially more money in London than last year, which is welcome to the tourist industry in London and to all who work in it. I remind my hon. Friend that the tourist industry is a primary export-earner, a primary provider of jobs and a primary growth industry.

§ Mr. Banks
Does my right hon. Friend agree that world interest in this country is unique among nations because of the bearing and example of the Queen and all the members of the Royal Family? Does she further agree that the splendour and pageantry of the Royal wedding will also be a deeply personal moment for two people and that tourists in London are never more welcome in sharing our joy on this occasion?

§ Mrs. Oppenheim
I heartily endorse what my hon. Friend says. In moving around the area one has the feeling that in the next two days the world is coming to London in more ways than one. The face of London that is shown at the moment is very important, and I believe that it is one that the world will look on with approbation and respect and with great felicitation for those involved in what is probably the greatest tourist attraction of the century and also a memorable occasion in all our lives.

§ Mr. Clinton Davis
Does the right hon. Lady recognise that although the Royal wedding is an important occasion, it will have an impact on the tourist trade for only a short time? I support her in her repudiation of the hon. Member for Dorset, North (Mr. Baker), but will she let us know what direct support the Government will give to the tourist industry? What will the right hon. Lady do to give added stimulus to the various tourist boards, including the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourist Board?

§ Mrs. Oppenheim
The Government give a great deal of direct support to the BTA, the ETB and the regional boards through a substantial grant. More importantly and significantly, the tourist industry raises as much, or more, than the Government give it. It does not make great demands on the Government. It provides many jobs and is worthy of high recognition in the economic scheme of things. The Roy al wedding provides a particular focus for the tourist industry, but attractions in London and in the rest of the country will continue to commend themselves to an increasing number of tourists throughout the world in the coming years.

§ Mrs. Kellett-Bowman
Has my right hon. Friend read the excellent report from Lancaster university, which points out that the 20 per cent. increase in employment in the service sector in that area is mainly accounted for by the tourist industry? Will she urge all those in the North-West to take advantage of the naturally superb assets that exist in the form of scenery, historic sites and magnificent communications, so that they may cash in on the tourist boom? The North-West, in particular, has lost many of its traditional industries. Will she encourage applications to be made to the regional development fund for tourism projects?

§ Mrs. Oppenheim
My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the tourist industry. It is a major provider of jobs. The service industries now employ a little more than 54 per cent. of working people in Britain. The tourist industry is a major growth area. As I said in a speech that I made the week before last, the tourist industry is a jewel in the crown of our service industries. My hon. Friend is right to say that regional development grants have greatly assisted.

§ Mr. Eastham
Does the Minister agree that it is a great pity that such emphasis is placed on London? Would it not be a good idea if the Minister spent more energy on encouraging tourism in the North-West and in the North? She could help by encouraging the greater use of Manchester airport instead of giving consideration to another airport in the South.

§ Mrs. Oppenheim
I assure the hon. Gentleman that a great deal of the grant that is available to development areas goes to that area. Last week I presented awards on behalf of the BTA One of them went to that area for the 810 initiative that has been shown. Manchester airport has done a splendid job and is part of the important infrastructure of regional airports in Britain.