§ Lord Fearnasked Her Majesty's Government:
What liaison there is between the regional development agencies and the regional tourist boards on (a) tourism and (b) heritage. [HL2203]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone)From I April 2003 the regional development agencies will play a stronger part in the strategic leadership of tourism. The regional tourist boards are their natural partners and will be funded by them at a level equivalent to current regional project funding received from the English Tourism Council for at least three years. Guidance has been issued to RDAs on how tourism should be covered in their corporate plans and regional economic strategies. This is being followed, including the development of regional sustainable tourism strategies, with which the RTBs are closely involved.
Heritage sites play an important part in attracting visitors to all regions. The regional historic environment forums established by English Heritage will consider the links between heritage and the regional tourism agenda. Each forum will expect to work closely with the RDAs and RTBs in taking this forward.