Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 17 April 2007.

Olympic Games 2012: VisitBritain

Question: My Lords, the clear consensus from the 2012 tourism strategy consultation is that there is a huge amount of marketing work to do in the run-up to 2012. How does the Minister respond to those such as the Historic Houses Association, which said in its recent evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee: "““At a time when Britain should be increasing its tourism profile in the run up to the Olympics, it is perverse that ""VisitBritain’s budget is being reduced in real terms. Britain cannot compete in the global market if funding is so restricted that we have the situation where Tourism Australia has spent more on one campaign targeting anglophone countries … than VisitBritain’s entire budget?," this year? What are the Minister and the DCMS planning to do about this?

Answer: My Lords, the noble Lord introduces other deep demands on the departmental budget that exist and which contribute to what we regard as the question of not just the Olympic Games, but the whole environment and the attractions of the UK for visitors over that period. I emphasise that decisions have not been taken regarding the final financing for tourism in the lead-up to the Olympic Games; that decision is being taken later this year. All that has happened with VisitBritain, as with every other sponsored organisation of government departments, is that it is being asked to look at increased efficiency and reducing costs. That is an entirely proper demand, and that will be taken into account when the final decisions are taken later this year on the future budget for VisitBritain.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 691 c114-5
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Finance Greater London Olympic Games Marketing Tourism VisitBritain
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk