§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the contribution of British dramatic arts to the promotion of inbound tourism in(a) London and (b) the United Kingdom. [11702]
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeIn 1995, 49 per cent. of visitors said that our theatres and performing arts were an important part of their decision to come to Britain. In 1996, 35 per cent. of overseas visitors to London said that London's culture and arts had greatly encouraged them to visit and a further 41 per cent. said that culture and arts had influenced their decision to come. The British Tourist Authority fully recognises the importance of arts and culture in attracting overseas visitors, and these play an integral role in its overseas marketing campaigns.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of rises in ticket prices to dramatic arts venues in London on the United Kingdom tourism industry. [11703]
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§ Mr. ClarkeThe latest available information from the society of London Theatres, from 1991, showed that up to one third of seats in London's theatres were filled by overseas visitors and many other by domestic tourists. I understand that the society will be updating this information later this year. The English tourist board announced last week that tourist spending in England rose by 7 per cent. to a record level of £10.7 billion in 1996. The British Tourist Authority estimates that earnings from overseas tourism in 1996 increased by 5 per cent. to £12.69 billion. All the evidence therefore suggests that London continues to attract record numbers of visitors.