§ 13. Mr. SwireTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the effects of foot and mouth disease on the hotel industry. [10032]
§ Tessa JowellThe Department's best estimate is that revenue loss to the English tourism industry overall is likely to be around £3.3 billion in "value added" terms. The effects of FMD on the tourism industry, including the hotel sector, have been uneven, some areas have done well, others have been hit disproportionately hard. The Government introduced a package of recovery assistance for rural businesses, including tourism businesses, affected by the consequent implications of foot and mouth disease. In total, these measures will bring benefits to businesses of over £300 million.
§ 32. Mr. HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the effects of foot and mouth disease on the tourism industry in England. [10053]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Department's best estimate is that the revenue loss to the English tourism industry for March to October is likely to be around £3.3 billion in "value added" terms.
An additional £3.8 million was provided to the English Tourism Council in April for immediate recovery work. The British Tourist Authority has received an additional £14.2 million for marketing and promotion. The Regional Development Agency business recovery fund, established in April, is designed to provide targeted help for rural businesses, including tourism businesses, affected by the consequent implications of foot and mouth disease. On 18 October, the Government allocated a further £24 million to the fund taking the total to £74 million. The fund is one element in a package of recovery assistance for tourism that includes business rate relief and deferral of tax payments. These measures and existing programmes will help to encourage tourism.