§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent per head of population on tourism in England in the last year for which figures are available. [88600]
§ Janet AndersonThe total amount spent in England in 1997 by tourists who stayed at least one night is estimated at £21.7 billion, equivalent to £440 per head of the population. Including the spending during tourism day visits would almost double these amounts.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his expenditure plans for tourism for the next three years. [88813]
§ Janet AndersonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced his expenditure plans for tourism over the next three years on 14 December 1998. They include an extra £5 million over three years for the British Tourist Authority and an extra £4 million to transform the English Tourist Board into a new strategic body, the English Tourism Council (ETC). The launch of the ETC heralds new regional funding arrangements enabling a greater proportion of funds to be provided direct to Regional Tourist Boards to provide extra support for tourism in the regions of England.