Government urged to take tourism more seriously

Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), has called on the government to place more emphasis on assisting the UK tourism industry.

Speaking at the BHA's annual luncheon on 25 June, he said there was no doubt that the industry is entering uncertain and more demanding times with consumer spending under pressure.

‘In this scenario, extra costs imposed on the industry substantially reduce its capacity for reinvestment.’ Cotton said. ‘Yet that is exactly what the government appears determined to do, whether through more regulation or through higher taxes.’

He called for a fiscal and regulatory regime that supports rather than hinders the industry, one that encourages its growth rather than shackles it by higher costs and new and ever more restrictive regulations.

Cotton concluded, ‘We need to continue to influence key Whitehall departments to recognise tourism’s economic importance. And in the devolved administrations and the regions, we need to continue lobbying members of parliament with the same aim.’

In the same week, a newly published report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee suggested some members of parliament have already recognised that government is not doing enough to support the tourism industry.

‘Tourism is one of the UK's most important industries and yet it has been consistently sidelined by the government, if not ignored,’ said Committee chairman John Whittingdale.

‘Its most recent decision to cut the budget of VisitBritain by nearly 20% seems extraordinary,’ added Whittingdale, who was worried the cut came so close to the London Olympics.

‘To do so in the run-up to the Olympic Games, which represent a huge opportunity for British tourism, is simply inexplicable, he said.

‘This is a huge missed opportunity which the government urgently needs to put right.’

You can read a full transcript of Bob Cotton’s speech on the BHA’s website. Direct link: www.bha.org.uk/images//bobs%20speech%20-%20bha%20annual%20luncheon%20june%202008.pdf (pdf file).

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s report is available to download from www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmcumeds/133/133i.pdf (pdf file).