§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance has been given to(a) the tourist industry and (b) coastal towns since the foot and mouth epidemic. [68239]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Department for Culture, Media and Sport gave an additional £14.2 million to the British Tourist Authority in 2001–02. This funding was one element in the Government's package of recovery assistance that included rural business recovery funding, hardship business rate relief and interest-free deferral of tax payments. This year, the British Tourist Authority has launched a £40 million 'Million Visitor Campaign' aimed at promoting Britain in seven key international markets through a unique partnership between Government and the tourism industry.
Assistance for tourism in Scotland and Wales, outside the programmes of the British Tourist Authority, is a matter for the devolved Administrations. Coastal towns have continued to benefit from a range of Government programmes.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on tourism in the UK in 2002; and what assessment she has made of the prospects for tourism. [68238]
§ Dr. HowellsThe British Tourist Authority has forecast that inbound tourism trips to the UK in 2002 will be up by 5 per cent. to 7 per cent., and inbound tourism expenditure up by 8 per cent. to 10 per cent., on 2001.
The English Tourism Council (ETC) has said that it expects tourism to return to pre-foot and mouth levels during 2002. A recent survey by the ETC has suggested that 59 per cent. of tourism businesses have already returned to normal business levels.
1192WDomestic tourism forecasts in Scotland and Wales are matters for the devolved Administrations.