Cash boost for rural economy
Tuesday, 14 August 2007 12:00 AM
The government announced a £1 million boost to Britain's rural economy today, with the message "Britain is open for business".
Culture secretary James Purnell announced the additional funding at a meeting with tourism chiefs in London.
The money will be used to promote England's regions and businesses including B&Bs, caravan parks and attractions.
Mr Purnell said: "Britain is open for business. Right across the UK there are fantastic cultural and tourist attractions putting on high quality events."
Concerns had been raised that the recent flooding and foot and mouth outbreak would adversely affect Britain's rural economy, where tourism plays a major part.
The Communities Department has released £750,000 for VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, which will be supplemented by £250,000 from its existing budgets.
Mr Purnell continued: "This £1,000,000 cash injection from government and VisitBritain will help promote England's many great destinations.
"I want to remind people across the country of the wealth of world class cultural and leisure opportunities on our doorsteps.
"You don't need to go far to have a great day out. And we'll be making sure that overseas visitors are reminded just how much there is to do in Britain."
Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain, said: "Government commitment to additional marketing funds comes at an opportune time for England and particularly rural destinations.
"It enables us to implement high profile activities on a larger scale and remind potential visitors of the appeals of a rural escape and that our tourism businesses remain open for business."
However, opposition parties said the funding would have little real effect.
Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster said the "small increase" in funding should be seen against real-term cuts to VisitBritain's budget.
Mr Foster said: "James Purnell's time would be better spent finalising the repeatedly delayed Olympic tourism strategy rather than making token policy announcements.
"The London Olympics provides an enormous opportunity to the British tourism industry, but we are in real danger of missing out unless the government starts showing some real leadership."
The Conservatives said the money would do little to tackle the root problems in the British tourist industry.
Shadow culture spokesman Jeremy Hunt called for a comprehensive approach to marketing British attractions to Britons, as well as a project to enhance the country's existing assets.
Tourism is the UK's fifth largest industry and employs two million people indirectly and directly.
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