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TOURISM


Taming the red tape machine


A full review of legislation will help boost the sector


KURT JANSON is policy director of Tourism Alliance


O


news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk Seaside tourism remains 'healthy'


New research moves to disprove 'myth' of declining coastal economies By Pete Hayman


New research carried out by a team from Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) has revealed that the seaside tourism industry in England and Wales remains 'healthy'. The report, called The Seaside T


ourist


Industry in England and Wales, claims that the idea of coastal resorts having suffered as a result of increasing numbers of foreign holidays is a "myth". Peter Hampson, director of the British Resorts and Destinations Associations, said:


ne of the things that went almost unnoticed in the lead-up to the election and during the


development of the coalition agreement afterwards was the near hiatus in the promulgation of new legislation. Oddly enough, without the ongoing flow of legislation, businesses were able to operate perfectly normally. Now, with the agreement in place,


government departments are starting work again trying to figure out how to turn the initiatives that it contains into new legislation. What is really needed is a proper review of legislation affecting the tourism sector. In the coalition statement, the government said that it will take steps to improve the competitiveness of the UK tourism industry, recognising the important part it plays in our national economy. With there being no funding to do


this, one of the only mechanisms the government has available to increase competitiveness is the reduction of regulatory burden. And with John Penrose formerly being the shadow minister for business responsible for developing the Conservative Party policy on reducing regulation, he is now perfectly placed as tourism minister to undertake such a review. Conducting a comprehensive review


of the regulation impacting the sector could form the basis for developing a strategy for subsequently improving its competitiveness; a strategy that could be implemented without cost to the government and help provide real benefits to the tourism industry.


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"What the Sheffield Hallam report tells us is that in many places around the coast the seaside tourism industry is still alive and well – and growing. "The seaside tourism industry has been


written off too often. This report highlights its resilience." Professor Steve Fothergill from SHU's Centre for Regional Economic and Social


The research revealed resorts are booming


Research led the team. He added: "What our figures show is that even in the face of stiff competition from holidays abroad, Britain's seaside towns have been able to retain and even expand much of their core business. The British seaside tourism industry remains a major employer."


IATA reports increase in passenger numbers By Pete Hayman


Airlines reported an 11.7 per cent increase in passenger traffic in May, compared with the same period last year, with figures now above pre-recession levels. The International Air Transport Associa-


tion (IATA) study, however, revealed that capacity only increased by nearly 5 per cent, behind the rate of increase in demand. IATA director general and CEO Giovanni


Air passenger numbers are on the increase


Bisignani said: "Passenger traffic is now 1 per cent above pre-recession levels, while the freight market is 6 per cent bigger."


Jersey tourism body to receive States support Jersey's treasury and resources minister,


Jersey Tourism will receive £500,000 towards UK marketing activity after the island's government approved fiscal stimulus bids from the economic development department. The tourism agency is one of two of


the island's industries to be awarded funding after bids were green lighted to encourage wider economic growth.


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Philip Ozouf, said: "Over the past two months, market conditions in the UK have changed significantly and we have seen a market downturn in arrivals and forward bookings." The additional funding is complement-


ed by a £500,000 contribution from the Jersey Hospitality Association.


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