Letter from the Department for Culture,
Media and Sport
I am writing to follow up my evidence to the
Committee on 6 February.
I was asked by Mrs Williams (Q303) what could
be done to open up new markets for Wales. As part of my response,
I said incorrectly that the Wales Tourist Board (WTB) was represented
in the USA, Ireland, the Netherlands and France.
Whereas those countries, with Germany, are the
most important markets for Wales and it is those in which the
WTB is pro-active in marketing Wales, the WTB only maintains a
presence on territory in the USA, operating out of BTA's New York
office.
I was asked by Mr Edwards (Q305 & 307) and
Mr Llwyd about the role of the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport in the Welsh and Scottish bids for the Ryder Cup. I said
that I would look at my response to Mr Edwards' question and clarify
the matter.
I have now had a chance to check this with my
colleagues and wish to inform the Committee that this Department
has taken no part in any of the three bids from UK destinations.
However, if the UK destination were to be awarded the Ryder Cup
event, the Government would lend appropriate promotional and diplomatic
support whatever the location.
Alistair Howie
Head of International Tourism Branch
14 February 2001
| 
