EP Magazine

Tourism delivers real benefits

By Margaret Hodge, Minister for Culture and Tourism

Research demonstrates the industry's potential to economic recovery

With hundreds of events going on all over the country to celebrate British Tourism Week, it’s not just a fantastic opportunity for everyone to see what’s happening in the world of tourism, but for the industry to get together and talk to each other about what’s going on in their own areas.

The tourism and hospitality industry is one of the biggest contributors to the UK’s economy. Latest figures showthat during November, domestic tourismtrips in the
UK grewby nine percent compared to the same time last year. Overseas visitor spend in the fourth quarter 2009 increased by one percent comparedwith 2008. And
between January and November last year, the overall number of domestic tourism trips increased by seven percent,with spend also going up by three percent.

According to Deloitte’s study for VisitBritain into the Economic Case for the Visitor Economy, in 2009 the industry contributed – directly and indirectly – £115 billion to the UK economy and employed around 2.6million people. This year, the number of jobs is forecast to rise by 10,000 fromlast year,meaning that  ne in every 12 jobs in the UK is supported by the visitor economy. And by 2020, this is set to have grown to 2.9million.  Spending by foreign visitors is also forecast to almost double by 2020.

Last month, the Heritage Lottery Fund with VisitBritain launched a significant newstudy by Oxford Economics, highlighting both the scale and significance of the heritage sector. The study has found that it contributes £7.4 billion a year – a bigger contribution thanmany other,more visible sectors of the economy. Over 30
percent of overseas tourists claimthat our heritage is themain reason for their visit to the UK.We at DCMS invest around £600 million a year in heritage,  including museums and galleries. Most recently,we gave a further £3million towards the iconic Cutty Sark project in Greenwich, and last year gave the final grant of £700,000 to bridge the funding gap for the new “Discover Greenwich” project at the Old Royal Naval College. Our Sea Change Programme has encouraged tourism back to neglected seaside towns through their cultural heritage,with projects like English Heritage’s newly interpreted Dover Castle. And our UK City of Culture project is also
encouraging places to focus on their cultural heritage offer.

There are somany upcoming opportunities for the tourismindustry to exploit to the maximumand I amhopeful that you will seize all of themwith both hands. I  realise that it sounds like I’mbanging the same drumIwas banging inmy last column, but I really don’t think the importance of preparedness can be over-emphasised. The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and, coupledwith the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, provide a year ofwonderful possibilities for the industry.

The Tourism Opportunities Network was launched by VisitBritain, VisitLondon and LOCOG at the Best of Britain and Ireland show. Thewebsite is aimed at peoplewho
work in Britain’s tourismand hospitality industries, to help themunderstand the exact nature of the opportunities surrounding the 2012 Games. The website will be
supportedby regular e-newsletters.

As we are all aware – some of us more than others! – a general election is looming in the not too distant future. I sincerely hope that Iwill be here after the election, andwould consider it a privilege if I were lucky enough to retain the culture and tourism portfolio. I have found the industry to be full of hard-working, committed people dedicated to the idea of promoting our country and its numerous,wonderful attractions to both those that live here and those that live abroad. I look forward to what you can dowith the next few months and years and amvery proud to think I may have, in someway, contributed to our Great British tourism industry.