The Tourism Society has hit out at the Government’s decision to cut VisitBritain’s funding by 18%, saying it is “very harmful to Britain’s tourism.”
The society – which is made up of members from areas including hotels, operators and destinations – has also called on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to reconsider its decision.
A statement also said that the cuts “fail the public interest of the UK population in optimising the potential social, environmental and economic benefits of tourism.” UKinbound, the industry body for inbound tourists, has also said it is “shocked and horrified” by the cuts.
Chief executive Stephen Dowd said: “This announcement confirms that the DCMS has completely lost the plot. The London 2012 Olympics could provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to promote the UK as a tourism destination to a global audience and for the Secretary of State responsible for the UK tourism industry to forgo this opportunity is utter madness.”