16 February 2009

UK leisure chiefs urge Government to put tourism under a different Department

The chief executives of Hoseasons, Bourne Leisure, Travelodge and four other leading UK leisure companies are calling on the Government to remove the responsibility for tourism from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Instead, they are urging the Government to place the industry in the hands of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR).

In a letter to the Prime Minister today, the business leaders argue that the industry is being held back by a lack of focus in Government, despite over two million people being employed by the sector and over Ã&#pound;100bn of revenue being generated.

The letter says the DCMS is focused primarily on culture and the creative industries.

Split between the Regional Development Agencies, tourism boards and local authorities, there is no discernable end goal for the allocated money, it argues.

The different public bodies compete against each other to chase potential tourists, confusing the message for potential domestic and international visitors.

By taking the industry into the hands of the DBERR, the business leaders believe this would give tourism the same recognition as industries such as manufacturing, construction and retail, and access to a Department that will fight on its behalf in Whitehall.

Travelodge chief executive Grant Hearn said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœTourism suffers from playing a lesser role in a Department that concentrates on sports and the arts rather than having a business focus.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWith Ã&#pound;350 million being allocated annually for tourism promotion it is not a lack of money that is the problem, but a lack of focus.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœAt the moment the DCMS is not getting the basics right. No cohesive strategy, a lack of consistent performance measures across the sector and not even the correct infrastructure to collect revenue data. All of these issues are better dealt with by a department designed to build commerce.Ã¢â¬~

Hoseasons Holidays chief executive Richard Carrick added: Ã¢â¬ÅâœThere has never been a better opportunity or need in recent history, to get behind UK tourism.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe current economic climate and adverse exchange rates are likely to mean that 2009 is a boom year for incoming and intra-UK tourism.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœIf we donÃ¢â¬â¢t get a handle on the way tourism is dealt with by Government quickly, this massive opportunity will be spurned, in the same way that very large sums of money invested in the myriad of tourism agencies across the UK for many years has been squandered."

The letter was also signed by Amanda Thompson, managing director Blackpool Pleasure Beach, John Dunford, chief Executive of Bourne Leisure, Colin Dawson, chief executive of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, Des Gunewardena, chief executive of D and D London, and Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments.

By Bev Fearis