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The Changing Political Landscape. Kurt Janson Director. The Tourism Alliance Umbrella Trade Association formed in 2001 to “speak with one voice” to Government on tourism issues. Comprises 55 member organisations that represent some 200,000 businesses.
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The Changing Political Landscape Kurt Janson Director
The Tourism Alliance • Umbrella Trade Association formed in 2001 to “speak with one voice” to Government on tourism issues. • Comprises 55 member organisations that represent some 200,000 businesses. • Purpose is to lobby and work with Government on policies that support the tourism industry and its contribution to the economy.
The Five Points • The Tourism Landscape • Skills and Jobs • Common Sense Regulation • Transport • A GREAT Welcome
The Tourism Landscape • VisitEngland Merged into VisitBritian • Reduced Domestic Marketing • Establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Group and Tourism Industry Council
The Flow of Tourism Policy Tourism Industry Council Departments VB/VE/DCMS Industry Tourism Businesses
Tourism Industry Council Issues • Deregulation • CANs • Taxi Licenses • Money Laundering • VAT Refund • Apprenticeships Trial • Fit with Seasonality • Welcome • Improvements to the Visa offering
The Tourism Landscape - Funding • Reducing Grant-in-Aid Funding • Increasing Challenge Funding • Regional Tourism Funds • Coastal Communities Fund • Rural Tourism Fund • Discover England Fund • Regionalisation • Settlements for Cities • Retention of Local Taxes
Retention of Local Taxes • Retain all Local Taxes including Business Rates • Abolish the Uniform Business Rate • Core Grant to be Phased Out • Allow a Premium for Infrastructure Projects • Will this create “Have” and “Have Not” destinations ?
England Discovery Fund • For Product Development Associated with Inbound Tourism • To develop 3-4 Bookable “Itineraries” • Need to show Co-operation across the Sector • Bids to be Developed this Year and Winners Announced Next Year
Accommodation Grading Scheme • Contract with G4S ends on 31 March • Government Looking at Off-Loading the Scheme to the Private Sector • Working with DCMS on a Transfer to the Industry • Need to Maintain Links with VisitEngland on Business Support
School Holidays • Successful challenge to section 444 of the Education Act • Government telling Education Authorities to “ignore” ruling • Expect Consultation in Autumn • Consultation could include options for Staggering Holidays
Current Consultations • Rural Planning • Highlighted the interdependence of Tourism and Agriculture • Emphasised need to allow Diversification • Business Broadband • Highlighted poor performance in rural areas • Emphasised that improvements were needed both for Businesses and Customers • Tipping and Service Charges • Needs to be resolved for Customers and Staff
The Changing Political Landscape Kurt Janson Director