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The tourism sector, a massive conglomeration of diverse businesses and organisations, contributes billions of pounds to the British economy and sustains millions of jobs. Yet its central role in the economic activity and life of the country is not given sufficient recognition. Too often, Government fails to factor tourism into its wider decision-making. We heard convincing evidence that the sub-national structures for supporting tourism in England were damaged by the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies without putting in place adequate arrangements for tourism promotion.
With sufficient resources, we believe VisitEngland is well placed to move more decisively into the organisational vacuum left by the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies and the Regional Tourist Boards. It could better coordinate the disparate efforts of some 200 local Destination Management Organisations, focusing its attention on those with most promise of developing a substantial tourism base. It could be an even better source of advice and training to the many small businesses that typify much of the tourism industry. Working with the National Coastal Tourism Academy in identifying and promulgating best practice, VisitEngland could begin the process of turning round those seaside resorts that have lost their way. The Academy is funded by the Coastal Communities Fund - a source of income for which we share the Government's enthusiasm.
VisitBritain has shown marked success in attracting overseas visitors, but should remain alert to the need to leverage even more the undoubted lure of London to bring more visitors to other parts of the United Kingdom. The GREAT Campaign continues to demonstrate its originality and vitality; funding for this campaign needs to be confirmed for a longer period, if industry is to plan ahead with confidence.
It should go without saying that an important way of attracting visitors to the UK is to make it easier for them to get here: further improvements to visa processing and reductions in their costs would help. Establishing joint biometric processing centres with other European countries and encouraging the issue of longer term, cheaper multiple entry visas are two ways in which this objective could be achieved. Long before it becomes feasible to increase airport capacity in South East England, regional airports could be better promoted to encourage visitors to the UK in general and the regions in particular.
More visitors are likely to come, and more residents likely to stay, if the UK offered even better value for money to holidaymakers (not to mention business travellers and students). Reductions in VAT and Air Passenger Duty would be effective in this regard, though the Government will need to carefully study the full impact of any such change. To this end, we welcome the (albeit belated) undertaking of the Sport and Tourism Minister to engage with the Cut Tourism VAT Campaign. Where the evidence leads, and practicalities allow, VAT and Air Passenger Duty should be lowered to benefit both tourism and the wider economy.
Too many regulations are ill-fitted to the world of small businesses that characterise much of the tourism industry. We therefore welcome the undertaking given to us by the Sport and Tourism Minister to review whether more could be done to implement the proposals by the Tourism Regulation Taskforce established by one of her predecessors, John Penrose MP. We believe that the Government should take forward with greater speed the recommendations of the Penrose report, updated as necessary.
Training arrangements and apprenticeships should be better adapted to the features that make many tourism businesses unique, such as seasonality, scale and uncertainty in customer demand. The Government should also do more to inform tourism businesses of the opportunities and funding that exist to train people, particularly young people, for the world of work.
In view of the potential benefits, not least to the tourism industry, of daylight saving time, we recommend that the Government commissions a rigorous cost-benefit analysis, including the research needed to properly inform this.
Many tourism businesses are small and struggle to have their voices heard. Nowhere is this more true than single person businesses such as tourist guiding. Not only does the work of professionally-qualified tourist guides deserve better recognition, but the insights they gain from working with tourists should be shared. Giving them a voice on the Tourism Industry Council would be a step forward. Most important of all, tourism needs a stronger voice in Government.
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