Tourism Alliance sets reform agenda
The Tourism Alliance published a report on Monday (23 April) urging the Government to take action to help the industry reform and modernise.
The report calls for the establishment of a Sector Skills Council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism to help the industry deal with skills shortages. At present there is no organisation planning workforce development for the whole sector.
The report also recommends the creation of a national body for England to promote domestic tourism. At present there is no national organisation responsible for marketing England to the British.
Investment in marketing London should be raised in line with its importance as a major tourist gateway to the UK, says the report. London wins 52% of total overseas expenditure yet receives just £1.25m in central government funding for its promotion, out of a total for England of £37m.
Revenue amounting to some £1b a year from air passenger duty should be ploughed back into the aviation industry, as in most other European countries, the report recommends.
CBI director-general and chairman of the Tourism Alliance, Digby Jones, said: "If the Government plays its part, the UK tourist industry sees no reason why its target of creating 300,000 jobs over the next five years cannot be met."
* The Tourism Alliance is composed of a number of trade and business associations. The Local Government Association is also a member.
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 25 April - 1 May 2002
