§ 34. Mr. ForthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the financial benefits of the millennium dome to each UK region. [77404]
§ Mr. Chris SmithNo estimate has been made of the financial benefits accruing from the Millennium Dome to each UK region. However, the British Tourist Authority (BTA) has estimated the number of overseas visits to the UK in the year 2000 as 27.5 million and that as a direct result of the Millennium Experience an additional £300–£500 million of overseas tourist revenue will be brought into the UK economy. The "halo" effect could double this figure. The BTA have further estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 new tourist related jobs will be created. This is excellent news for the whole of the UK.