Written question asked by Hugh Robertson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 November 2007. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 November 2007 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Olympic Games 2012: Tourism

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what mechanisms are open to Faversham to advertise itself as a tourist destination in connection with the London 2012 Olympics.

Answer: [holding answer 19 November 2007]: Local areas, such as those within Faversham and Mid Kent, which wish to market themselves as a tourism destination are advised to work with their Regional Development Agency and its regional tourism partners (in this case, the South East of England Regional Development Agency (SEEDA); Tourism South East; and Kent county council, working with the Kent Tourism Alliance). SEEDA, in collaboration with its partners, has developed a strategy for maximising the benefits of the Olympics in the region, ““Compete, Create, Collaborate for a World Class Performance””. This strategy focuses, for example, on the role of the region as a gateway to the UK and as a 'festival region' (thus taking full advantage of the Cultural Olympiad as well as existing festivals). Additionally, SEEDA and Tourism South East, with input from their sub-regional partners, including the Kent Tourism Alliance, will continue to work with VisitBritain by providing detailed content for its themed marketing campaigns and website. VisitBritain is currently developing its marketing and branding plans for 2012.

Secondary information