Tourism minister expected to be confirmed today
Wednesday, 14 May, 2010
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The appointment of a tourism minister in the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government is expected to be confirmed today.
Junior ministerial roles are in the process of being finalised across government departments, including the Department for Culture Media and Sport which holds responsibility for tourism.
ABTA has lobbied for the appointment of a dedicated minister for tourism as part of its pre-election manifesto for the travel industry.
Previous ministers in the Labour adminstration split responsibility for tourism with a number of other areas.
Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, was yesterday confirmed as culture secretary, including responsibility for the 2012 London Olympic Games, media and sport.
But the former shadow culture secretary has been quoted as saying that if planned cuts were spread evenly across all government departments, the DCMS, which covers tourism agency VisitBritain, would need to find savings of about £66 million.
The new government plans an initial £6 billion of cuts this year – something all government departments have to take responsibility for, according to Hunt.
On his appointment, Hunt said: “Our sectors – particularly creative industries, culture and tourism – are vital elements in the UK’s economic recovery.
“And the successful delivery of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London gives us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase the country to the world in what will, quite literally, be the greatest show on earth.
“I know there is an incredible appetite for change across the country and I want the department to be at the forefront of making it happen.”
Meanwhile, former shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Philip Hammond, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, has been named as transport secretary with ex-shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, becoming a junior minister in the Department for Transport.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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