MP HIGHLIGHTS TOURISM CHALLENGE
November 14, 2001 12:00 AM
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP John Thurso, yesterday called on the Government to work with the tourist industry to strengthen its performance in three key areas. Speaking in a Commons debate on Tourism, to coincide with the World Travel Market week, he said:
"The United Kingdom has some bad products and some good ones. Talk of rip-off of Britain and ghastly products does an immense disservice to those who work hard in the industry to achieve quality. I shall give an example. Skibo Castle, Morangie House and Ackergill Tower are world class properties."
He went on to highlight fuel prices in the North Highlands as a major disincentive to tourism growth:
"Fuel prices are definitely a barrier: that is not only because of the high cost of fuel but because of the 15p differential between Inverness and Thurso. It would be a great help if the Government could deal with that."
John Thurso also called for a rethink of tourism structures, particularly the responsibilities of the British Tourist Authority. He continued:
"The current structure is not working. I agree with tourism being wholly devolved to the Scottish Parliament and visitscotland.com which has a full budget and responsibility for marketing. The BTA is a cross-border authority with responsibility for marketing Britain but has all the money and marketing for England. The ETC has no marketing budget. This is perfectly ludicrous and I urge the Minister to rethink it. I am a federalist. I believe in the Union and the key point is equal devolution for England and Wales. We need a much clearer idea of what the BTA can do.
Responding Tourism Minister, Dr Kim Howell said: " I agree with much of the criticism. It was a mistake to take the marketing role away from the ETC and we must put that right, although it will take some doing."
Commenting after the debate, John Thurso said: "The Minister's acceptance of the need for a marketing role for the ETC is welcome. It is vital to keep the pressure on in Westminster to ensure that Scotland is fully represented when the BTA market Britain abroad. His comments indicate that the Government have, albeit belatedly, accepted this need."
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