§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action she is taking to encourage UK holiday makers to take holidays in the UK over the coming year. [22905]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Government are working urgently with tourism and other rural stakeholders on an inclusive approach to attracting visitors back to the countryside throughout spring and summer 2002. This is in addition to the strategic advertising and marketing campaigns of the regional tourist boards, such as the Greater London Authority, which has been authorised to switch £500,000 of this year's marketing budget for use in attracting domestic visitors to London. Ministers will continue to attend important domestic events to increase tourism's profile and make people aware of the many good reasons to consider taking their holidays within the UK.
For the longer term, the Government are reviewing the options for stimulating better co-ordination of the public and private sector funds currently spent on marketing tourism in England. Matters relating to the taking of holidays in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are a fully devolved matter.
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