§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by how much the Government aims to increase participation in accommodation grading schemes by 2006. [186035]
§ Mr. CabornThe improvement of the quality of tourism products is one of the five key priority areas agreed between the DCMS and the tourism industry. These are set out in the Tomorrow's Tourism Today document, which was launched by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State at the Tourism Alliance's Plenary Session on 19 July.
After detailed consultation, DCMS and its key partner organisations have agreed to aim to significantly increase the rate of participation in grading schemes in England from the pre sent 43 per cent. of accommodation. Work towards this, and in respect of the other programmes outlined in Tomorrow's Tourism Today, will be guided and monitored by the Tourism Review and Implementation Group, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State also announced on 19 July. The Group will be informed by the recent Alan Britten report on common accommodation quality standards across Britain, which recommended that at least 75 per cent. of known accommodation stock should be included in the schemes by 2008.
§ Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to encourage people living in towns to visit the countryside. [185751]
§ Mr. CabornIn autumn last year, VisitBritain launched its 'Outdoor England' campaign which encouraged people to visit England's varied countryside. VisitBritain recently launched its 'Waterside England' campaign, which promotes England's coastline as well as its many inland waterways. 'The countryside will continue to feature strongly in VisitBritain's future campaigns. Further information can be found on the website www.visitengland.com.