Written question asked by Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 8 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 January 2004. It was answered by Richard Caborn (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 January 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 plans she has to increase productivity in the tourism industry in 2004.

Answer: Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to increase productivity in the tourism industry in 2004. [147253] Mr. Caborn: Government, in partnership with the wider tourism industry, has identified four key strategic priority areas for increasing productivity in the industry. During 2004, DCMS will continue the work that is already in progress on domestic and overseas marketing through direct funding to VisitBritain and development of the EnglandNet initiative, on raising skills through supporting the establishment of a Sector Skills Council, by driving up quality through the Fitness for Purpose initiative and a review of the current accommodation quality grading schemes, and by improving tourism data through a review of data quality and availability with a view to strengthening statistics. A fifth priority for DCMS is to strengthen the advocacy of tourism across government at all levels. By concentrating on these areas, we aim to drive up productivity in the sector and to develop a highly competitive industry with sustainable foundations for long-term growth.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 416 c643W;416 c641W; 147253
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Finance Hotels Publicity Marketing Standards Training Tourism VisitBritain
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk