Written question asked by Bill Wiggin (Conservative) on Friday, 9 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 July 2004. It was answered by Richard Caborn (Labour) on Thursday, 15 July 2004 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 research her Department has commissioned relating to the promotion of the British countryside as a tourist destination for foreigners.

Answer: Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research her Department has commissioned relating to the promotion of the British countryside as a tourist destination for foreigners. [184048] Mr. Caborn: The Department has not commissioned research of this kind. However, VisitBritain undertook a major research project in October 2003 in 11 key international markets with in-depth interviews of over 5,000 people. The aim was to work out what factors are important to potential foreign visitors for their holidays, and then assess how Britain fared on each factor. Several aspects of the countryside were covered by the research. The results are still being processed, but initial results show that our landscape was considered in most markets, to be one of Britain's greatest strength's. The research is used to help develop campaigns in the international marketplace to encourage more visitors to come to Britain. The countryside will feature strongly in VisitBritain's upcoming campaigns--in particular the major "Touring Britain" and "Good Living Britain" promotions.

Secondary information