§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on(a) the domestic tourist industry and (b) the measures she is taking to encourage in-bound tourism. [131938]
§ Mr. CabornEngland's tourism industry is worth £62 billion a year. £52 billion of which is generated by domestic tourism. In 2002 British residents took 135 million tourism trips in England. Statistics for this summer will be available by the end of November. Early indications from the industry are that it was a strong season. In April this year, VisitBritain launched a £4 million 'Enjoy England' campaign to promote domestic tourism in England. Following a consultation exercise over the summer, VisitBritain will shortly be publishing its three-year domestic marketing strategy for England.
VisitBritain receives £35.5 million a year to promote Britain overseas as a tourist destination. It has 27 offices overseas and it runs on-going campaigns using advertising, PR, direct mail, the internet and other marketing tools. Major campaigns this year have included partnership campaigns with the industry in the United States and, in Europe, a £4 million "City Breaks" campaign to promote short breaks in Britain.