The Changing Political Landscape Kurt Janson Director The

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.

5 Point Plan For Tourism

The Five Points • • • The Tourism Landscape Skills and Jobs Common Sense Regulation Transport A GREAT Welcome

The Tourism Landscape • Visit. England Merged into Visit. Britian • Reduced Domestic Marketing • Establishment of an Inter. Ministerial Group and Tourism Industry Council

The Flow of Tourism Policy Tourism Industry Council Departments Tourism Businesses VB/VE/DCMS Industry

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

England Discovery Fund

Accommodation Grading Scheme • Contract with G 4 S 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 Visit. England 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