§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Blackstone on 7 November ( WA 25) regarding the marketing of English tourism to the domestic market, which areas of marketing will have their resources reduced. [HL1276]
§ Baroness BlackstoneIn the light of events this year and recent consultations my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has had with senior industry representatives, Ministers are reviewing the options for stimulating better coordination of the public and private sector funds currently spent on marketing tourism in England.
The Government have no intention to reduce resources devoted to marketing but are determined to ensure that current funds are more effectively used. For instance, Ministers have recently given the GLA permission to switch up to £500,000 from the overseas marketing and promotion of London's tourism industry to domestic marketing. This increase in English marketing is in response to the extent to which people across Britain have changed their travel plans since 11 September, offering considerable scope for domestic tourism to attract those who might otherwise have taken trips abroad.