§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what measures are being taken by her Department to promote tourism in the north-east; [10916]
(2) what has been the level of funding of the Northumbrian tourist board over the last five years. [10915]
§ Mr. SproatGovernment support for tourism is channelled through the statutory British Tourist Authority—BTA—and English tourist board, ETB. Through the ETB, support is made available to the 11 non-statutory regional tourist boards, including the Northumbria tourist board, which helps them undertake a variety of marketing and development activities of benefit to the tourism industry in their regions.
The total funding made available to the Northumbria tourist board is as follows:
- 1991–92: £479,000
- 1992–93: £505,000
- 1993–94: £484,000
- 1994–95: £394,000
- 1995–96: £364,0001
1 Figure for 1995ߝ96 is an estimate as the Northumbria tourist board has until 31 March 1996 to complete the draw-down of funds from ETB.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the value of tourism to the north-east of England in the last five years. [10917]
§ Mr. SproatThe estimated value of tourism to the north-east of England in the last five years is:
£ million 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Staying visits: UK residents 225 255 275 310 355 Overseas residents 79 93 96 134 131 Day visits 176 220 289 305 312 Total 480 568 660 749 798 Source:
United Kingdom Tourism Survey, International Passenger Survey, Leisure Day Visits Survey 1988–89 and Day Visits in Great Britain Survey 1991–92.