howells tells industry internal warfare must stop

TOURISM minister Kim Howells has told the travel industry the Government and public will not support it if there continues to be internal warfare between sectors.

His warning to the trade to sort out past differences came as he gave the keynote speech at the British Travel Trade Fair 2002 in Birmingham.

He said: “I throw a challenge down to make the most of the opportunities we have – no more bickering among each other.

“In tourism we have to learn that where there is fragmentation, you do not get the ear of the public, and you do not get the ear of the Government. We will see this industry going forward, if those in the industry take the chances now available.”

Howells has been at the forefront of a campaign to secure £45 million from the Government to help UK tourism this year and is pushing for more cash to give England back its marketing budget.

* For further coverage of the BTTF 2002, see page Travel Weekly on March 18.