Report by
Isabel Choat
THE TRAVEL
industry has accused the Government of trying to shirk responsibility for the
devastating impact the foot and mouth crisis has had on UK tourism.
Latest predictions
are that losses to UK tourism could reach £3 billion, but last week environment
minister Michael Meacher told the industry the Government was not to blame.
During a
speech at the British Travel Trade Fair in Birmingham, Meacher suggested the
industry had over-reacted by closing down attractions and telling people to
stay away from the countryside.
He said:
“The Government never said close down facilities. It is a tragedy that people
thought they were doing it for the right reasons, but it was the wrong
conclusion to draw.”
In a
desperate bid to kick-start rural tourism, he urged the owners of visitor
attractions and facilities to reopen their doors to the public.
Paul
Dayson, manager of Wetherby-based Spa Travel Worldchoice, said: “The minister has
got a cheek. The Government started the panic, has mismanaged this whole
debacle and is now shirking its responsibility.
One
Cumbria-based hotelier said the region was like a ghost town and accused the
Government of reacting appallingly.