tourism public/private partnership on cards

TOURISM is set to be the latest industry to come under the Government’s controversial public/private partnership plans.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is putting the final touches to a demand for more cash to boost tourism funding, but it accepts the partnership plan will be raised by the Treasury.

Tourism minister Kim Howells is lobbying the Chancellor to rectify the ‘mistake’ of taking away the English Tourism Council’s marketing budget.

He is also asking for extra funds for tourism following the double blow of foot and mouth and September 11.

In an exclusive interview with Travel Weekly, Howells said: “I fully expect the Treasury to raise the issue of the partnership plan when we submit our funding request.

“This could involve private businesses such as amusement parks or hotels meeting the Government funding.”

The partnership plan is highly contentious as it brings the private sector into areas that have been traditionally funded by the state, such as the London Underground and the National Health Service.

The Government argues private money and business expertise can help financially strapped sectors, but opponents say profits will be put before service and safety.

Howells and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell told Travel Weekly that the ETC’s lack of budget was a central part of a new bid for extra Government funds for tourism.

“It was a mistake to take away England’s marketing budget. We could hear this week if the Treasury will give us money to reinstate it,” said Howells.

Another major plank in the department’s demands to the Treasury is for extra money for research and legal advice to complete an overhaul of the UK’s outdated licencing laws, which harm the country’s image abroad.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is desperate to get the licencing laws changed in the Queen’s November speech to Parliament so they could be implemented by summer 2003.