HL Deb 11 November 1999 vol 606 c224WA
Baroness Anelay of St Johns

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are their plans to integrate initiatives on information technology with the objectives of Tourism For All. [HL4642]

Lord McIntosh of Harginey

Research commissioned by the Holiday Care Service showed that, by the end of 1998, some 14 per cent of disabled people were Internet users and that usage was growing. There is thus potential to integrate information technology initiatives with those designed to widen access to tourism.

The British Tourist Authority's VisitBritain website, featuring information on some 40,000 hotels, other guest accommodation, attractions and events, has been used by nearly 3 million people over the last 12 months and has won three major international awards. The BTA is now working with the Government and other agencies on a number of initiatives to extend the use of, and to improve, VisitBritain. The BTA is currently considering how VisitBritain could be developed so as to provide more and better information on the levels of accessibility to establishments it features.