Tourism

HC Deb 22 July 1986 vol 102 cc168-9W

19. Mr. Coombs

asked the Paymaster General if he has any plans for the promotion of tourism by the provision of increased indoor leisure and recreational facilities in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

The Government have asked the English Tourist Board and the British Tourist Authority to give particular attention in their development work to extending the tourist season. This includes encouraging the provision of indoor leisure and recreational facilities.

61. Mr. Gregory

asked the Paymaster General what steps he is taking to improve training schemes in the tourism industry.

Mr. Trippier

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 16 April at columns 386–87 Fuller information about education and training provision for tourism and improvements planned in this area is set out in paragraphs 29 to 33 and part 3 of "Action for Jobs in Tourism" which was published on 16 July. Copies are available in the Library.

62. Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Paymaster General if he has any estimate as to whether the number of American tourists visiting Britain this summer has been increased by the recent British Airways marketing initiative in the United States of America.

Mr. Trippier

There is no doubt that the "Go for it America" campaign generated much positive publicity and good will. Together with the efforts of the British Tourist Authority and many others it has had a major effect on the market, and British Airways reports that its current level of forward bookings is now back to normal for the time of year.

70. Mr. David Atkinson

asked the Paymaster General what steps he is taking together with his counterparts in other European Economic Community countries to coordinate and improve tourism within Europe as a whole.

Mr. Trippier

On 5 February 1986 the European Commission put forward a number of proposals for Community action in the field of tourism. I welcome the Community's interest in this important sector arid the Government will certainly support work in areas in which the Community can play a useful role. A resolution inviting member states to encourage the seasonal and geographical spread of tourism was adopted by the Council on 23 June. We plan to carry forward discussions on the Commission's other proposals during the United Kingdom Presidency and to seek to reach agreement on them.

84. Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

asked the Paymaster General what legislative barriers to the development of the tourist industry he has identified.

Mr. Trippier

The Government's report "Pleasure, Leisure and Jobs—The Business of Tourism," published in July 1985, identified a number of obstacles, including legislative barriers, to the faster development of the tourism industry and suggested, in a series of action points, how these might be overcome. "Action for Jobs in Tourism" published on 16 July describes the progress over the past year in implementing these recommendations.