Tourism needs greater coverage in Parliament
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Delegates at the UKinbound Convention 2010 heard a clear message that any future Government must give inbound tourism the recognition it reserves. In his keynote speech at the Convention at York Racecourse, Digby Lord Jones of Birmingham said that it was ‘ridiculous’ that ministers are expected to cover tourism as well as other briefs in their portfolios, and urged that any future Government should ensure that tourism has representation at Cabinet level given its significant role in creating jobs and wealth creation for the UK economy. Mary Rance, Chief Executive of UKinbound said:’Ministers need to get out and about to understand the issues….and take action to support tourism’.Margaret Hodge MP, Minsiter for Culture and Tourism, who also addressed delegates, flagged up a commitment to keep pressing for the ‘Schengen Bolt On’, arrangement, which would allow easier processing of entry to the UK for visitors already holding a visa to come to one of the 25 countries signed up to the Schengen Agreement. However, she stressed that this must be balanced with the need to ensure that issues of UK national border security take precedence at all times.This year’s Convention, registering a total record amount of over 200 delegates of whom more than 60 were attending for the first time, incorporated a packed two day programme covering a number of topics relevant to the inbound tourism industry including; industry preparations for the 2012 Olympics and Paralypmic Games; opportunities in the growing tourism markets of China, India, Brazil and Russia; the need for better and more coordinated training and development in the industry; and the implication of regional tourism funding and promotion if the role of RDAs (Regional Development Authorities) should change under a new Government.
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