Tourism

HC Deb 03 February 1987 vol 109 cc605-6W

27. Mr. Porter

asked the Paymaster General what action is proposed to encourage tourism from the far east to come to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Trippier

Earnings from far east visitors increased by 10.5 per cent. in the first half of 1986. Although there was a slight decrease of 0.9 per cent. in visitor numbers, compared to the same months in 1985. The British Tourist Authority offices in Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong will continue to promote the United Kingdom as a tourist destination both for holiday makers and business visitors.

33. Mr. Roger King

asked the Paymaster General if he will estimate the contribution likely to be made to employment in tourism by the tourism and the community programme.

55. Mr. Gregory

asked the Paymaster General if he will outline the tourism projects with which the community programme will be primarily concerned.

Mr. Trippier

The latest estimate is that there are 724 community programme projects providing almost 16,000 jobs which are directly related to providing tourism. In addition, many other projects and jobs within the Community programme contribute indirectly. Our recently launched tourism and the community programme national initiative aims to provide 2,500 jobs within the programme on projects which provide tourist information and improve coastal resorts and other areas. Projects in partnership with the private sector will also be developed.

35. Mr. David Atkinson

asked the Paymaster General if he is satisfied with the present proportion of European Community regional aid devoted to tourism projects in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Trippier

The European regional development fund has been used to support a wide range of public expenditure in the United Kingdom much of which has been of both direct and indirect benefit to tourism. The Government are satisfied that the United Kingdom is making the fullest possible use of opportunities to assist tourism under the ERDF.

41. Mr. Weetch

asked the Paymaster General how many jobs he estimates will be created by tourism in 1987; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

Future development levels depend on many factors, some of which are difficult to predict. In recent years, there has been a substantial growth in the number of employees in those industries which most directly serve tourists (up by 100,000 in the hotel, catering and leisure and recreational services sectors between September 1984 and September 1986).

If long-term trends in tourism continue, I would expect to see further growth in 1987 in employment in the sectors serving tourists.

48. Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Paymaster General what action is proposed to encourage tourists from Europe to visit the United Kingdom.

Mr. Trippier

The number of visitors to the United Kingdom from western Europe rose by 3 per cent. in the first 10 months of last year, compared to the same months in 1985. The British Tourist Authority has 11 offices in major European cities, and will continue to promote the attractions of the United Kingdom to both holidaymakers and business visitors.