More investment for English tourism under LIb Dems

6.10.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th Apr 2005

Bath's MP, Don Foster, has announced that the Liberal Democrats would increase, by a quarter, Government funding for marketing England as a tourism destination.

This extra investment of £15m over the next Parliament would help tackle the 'tourism deficit' (which is the difference between spending by UK residents abroad and spending by overseas residents in the UK) that currently stands at £17.2bn - having quadrupled under Labour. This money will help address the very low Government spending per head in England compared to the rest of the UK.

Commenting, Don Foster MP, said:

"Tourism employs over 2 million people and is one of the UK economy's biggest sectors.

"In Bath alone, it brings in around £300million a year and directly employs over 7000 people.

"Yet under Labour, the tourism deficit has quadrupled but the Government's recent 'Tourism Manifesto' failed to pledge extra investment.

"The Liberal Democrats believe that after Foot and Mouth and 9/11, the tourism industry deserves extra help, which is why we're pledging to increase tourism spending.

"Now the Liberal Democrats are offering a real alternative to Labour's high rhetoric and low spending on tourism."