02 February 2009

Hoseasons urges government action on tourism

The government is being urged to consider financial support for the UK tourism industry.

The call came from Hoseasons chief executive Richard Carrick in the wake of a £2.5 billion package to assist ailing car manufacturing.

"Unlike many sectors of the UK economy the tourism industry is potentially set to have its best ever year, with a weak pound making us a popular inbound destination, and more holidaymakers planning on staying in Britain for their annual break," Carrick said.

"2009 therefore presents the UK holiday industry with a truly unique opportunity and it is essential that we gain financial and legislative support from the government to capitalize on the renewed interest in British holidays.

"I am convinced that people aren't aware of the impact tourism has on the UK economy.

"We are an industry that supports 2.7 million jobs and over 200,000 SME's and every £40,000 spent on tourism in the UK creates another job.

"Years like 2009 don't come around very often, so let's exploit our luck to the full - on this occasion, financial and economic malaise is the silver lining that we've been looking for.

"A really successful year will undoubtedly lead to job creation, so any support we can get will have a positive impact on the economy - rather than many of the current 'rescue' packages that are at best only going to maintain the status quo."

by Phil Davies

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• It gets worse!
  
  

  Our client Gladehill Lodges Ltd who supply eco friendly, sustainable 5*lodges to BS3632 require capital to expand. On applying to Finance South East the South East RDA finance arm,, for consideration for existing support support they were summarily refused as they are deemed to be in 'construction', a sector not eligible for support apparently . Apart from the issue of classifying our clients product as construction ( not by SIC No. for sure) construction needs support too . Moreover if the support can go into potentially viable sectors e.g tourism rather the propping up the those with excess capacity then flexibility not pedantry by Gov. bodies and agencies is needed at this critical time. Unlikely though! Jeremy Boardman

  By Jeremy Boardman, Tuesday, February 3, 2009
• Completely Agree
  
  

  If HMGov has any more money/debt to shell out that is. Tourism is one of the few sectors where the investment would have a very good chance of paying back on the deal. We have too many cars already and the banks are simple a black greed-hole. Putting UK investment into a sustainable industry makes good sense.

  By Peter Shearn, Monday, February 2, 2009