§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the progress of the Tourism Incentive Group. [7564]
§ Dr. HowellsIn July, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State asked the English Tourism Council (ETC) to consult senior tourism industry leaders and propose a clear programme for modernising and restructuring the industry, which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport could then consider as a basis for entering into partnership and investing in reform. The ETC set up the Tourism Initiative Group and sent its report to the Secretary of State on 10 September—it made various recommendations under four key areas: product quality, service and productivity, data, and marketing. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering that report and held a seminar on 11 and 12 September to discuss with senior tourism industry and public body representatives how best to take forward the ideas in the Tourism Initiative Group report and, in particular, what role the industry itself should play.