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Research
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
The British Tourism Industry Group met on the 21st November 2012 at the National Audit Office, London. David Edwards of Visit Britain gave an update on current market conditions and research findings, a mix of a few positives but much gloom. The outlook for 2013 continues to look uncertain with the Euro zone debt crises, the GB fiscal cliff and problems in the Middle East in relation to energy; all pose significant risks to the UK economy as a whole as well as Tourism industry in the UK.
Pat Yates also... Read More
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Wales Tourism Alliance
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
The Westminster Tourism All Party Group, with secretariate provided by the WTA, met on the 20th November 2012 to discuss the development of Tourism Infrastructure. Chris Osborne and Adrian Greason-Walker presented some of the relevant findings of the WTA report ‘Are you being served’ (November 2012) and took questions from the Welsh MPs on Tourism Infrastructure in Wales.
We put it to the MPs that tourism in Wales relies on the development of appropriate infrastructure, which services a tourist's needs and encourages investment by the private sector in providing a competitive... Read More
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Welsh Government
Monday, 19 November 2012
The Silk Commission report concluded today that long haul air passenger duty and sole responsibility for business rates should be transferred to Welsh Assembly control and a referendum should be held on whether Welsh ministers ought to have new powers over income tax rates.
Control of other smaller taxes, which Welsh Labour ministers want to see devolved, would also be transferred to Cardiff under the Silk recommendations.
They are:
• air passenger duty for long-haul flights;
• the stamp duty paid by house-buyers;
• landfill tax on licensed waste sites;
• the aggregates levy, which is... Read More
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Welsh Government
Monday, 19 November 2012
The Commission on Devolution in Wales held a briefing session on Monday, 19 November in the Victor Salvi Room, Wales Millennium Centre. The establishment of the Commission on Devolution in Wales was a commitment in the UK Government’s Coalition Agreement. The Commission was launched on 11 October 2011, with the support of the Welsh Government and the three opposition parties in the National Assembly for Wales.
Their remit is divided into two parts. Part I, was to consider the National Assembly for Wales’s current financial powers in relation to taxation and... Read More
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European Union
Friday, 16 November 2012
As part of the preparations for the next round of European Structural Fund Programmes in Wales, the Welsh Government has asked for an independent review of the arrangements for implementing European Structural Fund programmes post-2013.
The review is examining the ways in which the European Structural Funds programmes have been implemented in 2000-2006 and the 2007-2013, the results of the implementation, together with best practice elsewhere and recommendations for improvements.
Please download the discussion paper which invites feedback. Responses require to be submitted by 10 January 2013 and sent to Guilford Review... Read More
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UK Government
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
The WTA has been informed that progress in relation to improving visa processing for the Chinese market is being made. First a new Working Group has been established between the industry and the Home Office. This Working Group met for the first time last week and has set itself three main areas of work:
1. Looking at what can be done to improve visas processing
2. Undertaking research to identify the main barriers to Chinese residents wanting to visit the UK
3. Undertaking work to change the perceptions of UK visa processing in China
The Working... Read More
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UK Government
Monday, 12 November 2012
A new website for a campaign to reduce VAT has been launched. Its aim is to provide background information on the rationale for lowering VAT on tourism goods and services to 5%, and to keep everyone informed on progress that is being made in lobbying on this issue. http://www.cuttourismvat.co.uk/... Read More
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Wales Tourism Alliance
Thursday, 08 November 2012
Mrs Hart was speaking at the annual conference of the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA), ‘Working Together’, at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells earlier this week, where she revealed a mission to create a new brand for Wales and her aversion to red tape hindering business development.
“We have to be a much more confident nation in what we do in terms of tourism,” she said. “The vast majority of visitors that come to Wales have an excellent experience. We have an awful lot to offer in Wales at any time of... Read More
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Wednesday, 07 November 2012
The Outdoor Industries Association has launched a new campaign “Britain on Foot” 2013. It aims to get people outdoors and taking full advantage of the UK’s stunning natural resources as a way to improve health and boost tourism. The initiative will be driven by a website focused on getting more people active with links, uploads and information. More information http://britainonfoot.co.uk/... Read More
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UK Government
Monday, 29 October 2012
The following meeting notes are taken from an article in the English Tourism Alliance's newsletter
The Tourism Alliance held a very positive meeting with the Economic Secretary, Sajid Javid to discuss the benefits of tourism to the UK economy and the potential of tourism to generate Growth and Employment. The following are notes of the main points from this meeting.
• The Minister comes from a banking background - he joined Chase Manhattan Bank in New York immediately out of university, working mostly in South America. He relocated to London in 1997,... Read More
