§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been allocated to assisting the tourist industry since September 2001; what assessment has been undertaken on the extent of recovery in the industry; and what further plans she has to attract foreign visitors to the UK. [115171]
§ Dr. HowellsSince 2001 DCMS has allocated the following funding for tourism.120W
£ million 2001–02 BTA grant in aid 35.5 BTA tourism recovery 14.2 ETC grant in aid 11.0 ETC tourism recovery 3.8 ETC capital modernisation fund 0.6 London 1.9 Tourism total 67 2002–03 BTA grant in aid 35.5 BTA Million Visitor Campaign 19.0 ETC grant in aid 11.6 ETC Million Visitor Campaign 1.0 ETC Invest to Save 2.4 ETC capital modernisation fund 0.3 London 1.9 Tourism total 71.7 2003–04 Overseas promotion 35.5 Domestic promotion 1 14.1 VisitBritain Reform 2.0 London 1.9 EnglandNet: ISB 1.2 Tourism total 54.7 1 £14.1 million is the total resource available in relation to England with the exception of London. It is not all allocated to VisitBritain.
At least £3.6 million will be deployed through the regional
development agencies, and other partners will be allocated some
of it to reflect transfer of functions.
The industry experienced a good recovery in 2002 and in the first quarter of 2003 total inbound visitors were back to the same level as two years ago (just prior to the impact of foot and mouth disease).
In addition, to its on-going campaigns in our key markets around the world, VisitBritain is running two partner campaigns this year: a short break campaign in the autumn in the European markets and an American campaign in the summer.