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tourism Brits still opting for staycations


While a number of indicators suggest the global tourism sector is in for a tough ride during 2012, there is optimism that domestic UK tourism will prosper during 2012. According to the World


Travel Market (WTM) 2011 Industry Report, 38 per cent of Brits did not have a hol- iday during 2011, with the weak pound, the govern- ment’s austerity measures, the increased cost in flying and the real-term cuts in earnings combining to cre- ate a ‘perfect storm’ to create barriers for outbound tourism. Tis has resulted in Brits opting to taking


Tourism getting the credit in deserves


edwina hart is business minister at the Welsh Assembly


Brits are looking to ditch foreign trips and explore the UK during 2012 Announcing the results, WTM director


more domestic holidays, with VisitEngland figures showing that in July 2011 alone, the number of domestic overnight trips taken in England was 11.6 million, a 12 per cent increase on July 2010.


Fiona Jeffery said: “Te findings confirm yet again that UK holidaymakers are reassess- ing how they spend what little money they have, and that government and local tourism taxes are compounding the current economic difficulties.”


EUR6.6m for nine tourism schemes across Ireland


More than EUR6.6m (£5.7m) worth of govern- ment funding is to be shared by nine tourism projects across Ireland with an emphasis on outdoor-based activities. Tourism minister Leo Varadkar made the announcement during a visit to County Clare,


with cash allocated through Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Capital Investment Programme. Varadkar said: “Walking and cycling play


to our strengths as a holiday destination. Te easier we make it for participants, the more attractive Ireland becomes as a destination.”


London to see Olympic tourism slump?


Te European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) has found that its members are expect- ing a “significant downturn” in inbound leisure tourism during the 2012 Games. ETOA canvassed 38 oper-


ators who bring more than 2 million people to the capital a year, with bookings for the Games period currently down 95 per cent on normal levels. Forward sales projections


published on 31 October also predict a 60 per cent fall in bookings for July and August outside the Games period and a 20 per cent shortfall for the rest of the year. While the figures only represent the current


ETOA said current booking levels for Games-time are down 95 per cent


leisure tourism trends, ETOA said that booking numbers will have to strengthen “enormously” to plug the shortfall. If the London drop is seen


© CYBERTREK 2011


across the UK, the economy is to miss out on £3.5bn of business for July and August alone. ETOA’s Tom Jenkins said: “During the


Olympic period itself, there is currently almost no demand from regular tourists.”


Twitter: @leisureopps


T


he decision to move responsibil- ity for tourism from the former Heritage department to my new ministerial portfolio of Business,


Enterprise, Technology and Science was a clear acknowledgement of the important contribution tourism makes to the poten- tial economic prosperity of every part of Wales. One of my first decisions as Business Minister was to designate Tourism as one of three new priority sectors in the Welsh economy. By making it a new priority sec- tor, along with Food and Farming and Construction, we can strengthen the distinc- tive national identity of Wales, within the UK and internationally, as a place to visit, invest in and as a place to do business. Tese three sectors will build on the six


existing priority sectors that we are support- ing to help Welsh businesses grow and create the jobs needed for the future development of our economy – Energy and Environment; Creative Industries; Life Sciences; ICT and; Financial and Professional Services. I am delighted that Dan Clayton Jones,


chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, has accepted my invitation to chair the new tourism panel. He also becomes the Welsh representative on the VisitBritain board. I recently announced the members for the tourism sector panel, they represent a wealth of experience and expertise and I am confident they will make a significant contribution to support and help the sector grow and create new jobs. Key commitments within our programme for government, launched recently by the first minister, also reflect the crucial role for tourism in grow- ing the economy and creating jobs. Tose commitments include: develop-


ing tourism activity and niche markets and securing maximum benefit from major events in our high profile venues; promoting Wales as a destination with a high quality tourism offer; working to extend the tourism season and associated benefits; identifying opportunities to improve visitor infrastruc- ture in Wales and supporting investment in staff training and management to support a high quality tourism industry.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 17


image: kamira/shutterstock.com


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