CONTINUED FROM BACK COVER Our capital is a world city
that acts as a lightning rod for tourism in the UK. But I want more visitors to explore outside London. My constituency, Maidstone, is in the heart of Kent, which has brilliant attractions such as Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral – we need to get more people to them. I’m a huge lover of our stunning national parks, while surfers can enjoy great waves around the coast of Britain. Destinations across Britain do
a great job welcoming visitors and championing their offer, but I want to see what we can do to help. That is why we are committing £10 million to support tourism in the north. Places such as my home town of Carlisle have a fantastic offer. We must ensure that visitors realise what these areas have. Then there is the coastal communities fund, which is helping our seaside towns. I was in Morecambe recently to see the benefits of this investment first-hand. It is helping to deliver an outstanding tourism offer in a beautiful place. I met several tourism workers who had taken the innovative Welcome to Morecambe Bay training course, so that they can give the best possible welcome to visitors. All of this helps create a successful tourism industry that, together with the government’s tourism strategy, is creating local jobs and growth as a vital part of the government’s long-term economic plan.
Q: What has most pleased you during your term in office? A: I am pleased that the Tourism Industry Council is up and running. It gives skills minister Nick Boles and I useful insight into the needs of the industry. There are challenges that
can be addressed only by the government and industry working together.
The number of jobs in the
sector is growing rapidly, so our focus has been on making sure the industry can attract
Helen Grant: ‘Young people should see tourism as a dynamic and exciting industry to work in’
Q: What do you say to the argument that tourism should have a dedicated minister with no other responsibilities? A: The tourism industry has a dedicated minister for tourism in me. It is a key priority for me, and the sector is brilliantly represented at cabinet level by the culture secretary Sajid Javid, who is an excellent advocate for the industry.
and retain the best people. Young people should see tourism as a dynamic, exciting and friendly industry to work in. Beyond that, it’s fantastic to
see continued strong growth. Since 2010, we have seen record inbound spending and visitor numbers, which is down to a concerted effort from everyone to sell the best of Britain and have the strongest offer possible. I have been a massive supporter of the sector since I took on this post and it is fantastic that the industry is being championed across government – with the GREAT Britain campaign going from strength to strength, visa reforms helping to attract visitors from key markets such as China and good work being done on apprenticeships and skills.
Q: How would you assess tourism’s contribution to the economy? A: It makes a huge contribution. Tourism was worth an estimated £127 billion GVA (gross value added) to the economy last year. The sector supports 3.1 million jobs – and rising. These jobs provide excellent career opportunities and vital skills to many young people. It is something I care passionately about. I know from my first jobs what a great grounding tourism can give. Welcoming people acts as an advert for the whole of the UK. A
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travelweekly.co.uk — 29 January 2015
great visitor experience can build goodwill and cement a positive perception of our nation all over the world.
Q: How is tourism viewed by the government as a whole? A: This government gets tourism. It understands not only the value tourism adds to our economy, but also the role it plays in enriching the lives of British people holidaying at home and in improving the perceptions of the UK abroad. That is why we invest
significantly in the industry via the GREAT campaign, regional growth fund and coastal communities fund. By investing in infrastructure and airport connectivity, as well as by streamlining visa processes and reforming Air Passenger Duty, we have made it more attractive to travel to the UK. We have abolished the two highest bands of APD from April 1 and will remove it altogether for children under 16, making the UK a more affordable place to fly to for families. Importantly, we have also
increased the sector’s productivity by strengthening skills through the apprenticeship trailblazer initiative. Ensuring we have the right people to take the careers the growing sector creates is vital to maintaining momentum and ensuring local communities feel the benefits.
Q: How can the industry make its point to government when it must deal with so many departments? A: One reason I was so keen to set up the Tourism Council was to create a forum for industry and government to work collaboratively at a high level on important issues. It will help the industry speak with a more united voice to government and get its main points across easier. I have excellent working
relationships with ministerial colleagues and always champion the sector in my dealings with them.
HELEN GRANT
l Grant took over as sports, tourism and equalities minister in October 2013, succeeding Hugh Robertson.
l She is Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald.
l Grant entered Parliament in 2010, succeeding Ann Widdecombe as Maidstone MP, and became a parliamentary under- secretary in 2012.
l She works in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, where she is also responsible for gambling, licensing and the National Lottery.
l She is a qualified solicitor. l Grant will step down, along with other ministers, on March 30 when Parliament dissolves, and stand for re-election on May 7.
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