Written question asked by Ashok Kumar (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 November 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 November 2001. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 November 2001 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to promote tourism in the coastal resorts in the North East. - (Holding answer 19 November 2001).

Answer: Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promote tourism in the coastal resorts in the north-east. [15781] Dr. Howells: [holding answer 19 November 2001]: Seaside resorts continue to represent a very important sector of our domestic holiday market generating well over 15 per cent. of England's total domestic tourism income. The principal responsibility for supporting and promoting British seaside resorts lies with local government, working with other interested parties in the light of a clearly enunciated vision and strategy for tourism and other economic activity. The North East Regional Development Agency also has a key role to play at the regional level. The north-east benefits, as does the rest of Britain, from British Tourist Authority (BTA) promotions overseas. Among BTA campaigns featuring coastal resorts in the north-east are Hidden Britain, due for launch next year, which suggests itineraries through less well known places, the Walking Britain map, due for launch in January and Harry Potter and Magical Britain, which will be launched on Monday 19 November. This is a guide to locations used in the recent film. Promotion of the Harry Potter guide includes a BTA press trip to Alnwick and Whitby, planned jointly with England's north-east.

Secondary information