TOURISM


What next for the industry?


Government must remove barriers for tourism growth


KURT JANSON is policy director for Tourism Allliance


T


news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk No end in sight for 'staycations'


Britons still opting to ditch foreign trips and stay in the UK for holidays By Tom Walker


The UK Tourism Survey figures, released by VisitEngland, show the number of trips taken by domestic travellers in the UK in the first six months of 2010 remain unchanged compared to 2009. Although the overall number of domestic


he 26 per cent cut in the funding for VisitBritain and VisitEngland as revealed following the government's


Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) was unwelcome, but no surprise. To put the cuts into context, if the


budgets for VisitBritain and VisitEngland had kept pace with inflation since 1997, the two agencies would have a combined budget of more than £80m per annum at the end of the CSR period. Instead, they will have to make do with a budget of just £29m – a 65 per cent reduction. These cuts are particularly frustrating


because, unlike almost all other DCMS agencies, the national tourist boards did not benefit from government largess during the boom years. While the DCMS' internal budget increased by more than 130 per cent, funding for tourism went down by more than 10 per cent. The reduction in public funding


significantly increases pressure on the government to deliver on its coalition programme promise to "take steps to improve the competitiveness of the UK tourism industry, recognising the important part it plays in our national economy". If this is not going to be achieved though raising the level of investment in the agencies then the only other means of achieving it is by removing barriers so that the private sector can compete more competitively in the global tourism market. The government's new tourism


strategy is due before the end of the year and its ability to deliver on the commitment will rest upon how well it addresses VAT and the regulatory burden.


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overnight trips was unchanged, there was a shift in the purposes of the trips – the number of pure holiday trips fell by 3 per cent between January and June, while the number of visiting friends and relatives trips increased by 2 per cent. During the month of June visitor figures


increased by 5 per cent compared to June 2009 perhaps influenced by the later half-term holiday than the previous year. VisitEngland chief executive James


Berresford said: "Last year was the best ever year for leisure tourism with domestic holiday trips up by 18 per cent in England


'Staycations' have retained their popularity


and 17 per cent in the UK. Despite a slight downturn in holiday tourism this year compared to 2009, England and the UK are still experiencing double digit growth compared to 2008. "The industry should be proud of


sustaining strong and consistent figures."


ONS reports growth in UK visitor numbers By Pete Hayman


Visitor numbers to the UK increased by 6 per cent between June and August compared with the previous three months, according to new figures. The Office of National Statistics (ONS)


revealed an increase of 7 per cent in expenditure by overseas residents during the period, while the number of UK residents travelling abroad also grew. However, the ONS found that inbound


Visitors appear to be returning to the UK


visitor numbers in the 12 months to August 2010 fell by 1 per cent to 29.5 million.


New tourism strategy proposed for Scotland


Stephen Leckie, the chair of the newly established Tourism Leadership Group (TLG) in Scotland, has written an open letter to the industry asking for input towards the creation of a new strategy. Leckie, who is also managing director


of resort operator Crieff Hydro, asked for feedback, which would ensure that


"tourism in Scotland continues to flourish Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digital


for many years to come". The TLG, formed by the Scottish Tourism Forum, with the full endorsement of the Scottish Government, is made up of senior industry figures from across Scotland. It has been tasked with developing a


"refreshed vision" for Scottish tourism and recommending the changes to ensure it remains a competitive destination.


© Cybertrek 2010


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