§ Mr. John GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what initiatives he is taking to promote tourism in the rural areas.
§ Mr. DorrellGrant in aid to the English tourist board is used to support a range of development and marketing programmes including programmes which benefit tourism in rural areas. Many of these are delivered by the regional tourist boards, which receive substantial funding from the English tourist board. Examples in the Yorkshire and Humberside region include the walking holidays in the Wolds initiative and, in the North York Moors national park, the regional routes initiative.
Rural tourism also benefits from the promotional activities of the British Tourist Authority, since the beauty of the countryside is a key element of Britain's appeal to overseas visitors.