Tourism Disaster for Scotland - Thurso

12.00.00am GMT Thu 31st Oct 2002

Commenting on the Government's proposed reform of Government support for Tourism, announced this afternoon, John Thurso MP, Liberal Democrat spokesman on Scotland, said:

"This is a very weak announcement. It would be hard to imagine a more disappointing outcome for tourism, either for England or for the devolved nations.

From the Scottish point of view, it is particularly galling that no consultation took place with VisitScotland and that consequently their views have been ignored.

The Tourism Minister at DCMS, for the last year, has repeatedly promised a strengthened marketing voice for English tourism. By contrast, this announcement effectively abolishes the English body, with particularly devastating consequences for the promotion of Scottish tourism overseas. The creation of a "new national body" will put Scotland's biggest domestic competitor in charge of Scotland's overseas promotion.

The announcement heralds hypothecation within one organisation between domestic and overseas activities while at the same time claims savings, synergy and lower overheads. Any competent CEO knows you cannot have your cake and eat it.

Scotland is being carted with this arrangement: it is typical of DCMS to have failed to take account of the devolved dimension. Instead of this messy arrangement, the Government should simply pay the devolved countries their share of the hypothecated resources leaving the new national body to work for England.

The tourism industry in Scotland can only greet this announcement with dismay".