To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what subjects were discussed at his Department's most recent tourism summit; and if he will place a copy in the Library of the minutes of the meeting. (250242)

There are no official minutes from the Department's most recent tourism summit. However, the transcripts of the Prime Minister's and the Secretary of State's speeches are on Visit Britain's website including a transcript of the question and answer session. Details can be viewed at the following web link:

http://www.tourismtrade.org.uk/aboutvisitbritain/corporate events/tourismsummit.asp

Additionally, a number of outcomes stemmed from the summit including:

VisitBritain to compile a list of the industry's ‘top five asks’ of Government.

To explore ideas on a graduate job scheme for tourism and a development bank focused on supporting investment in the tourism industry.

The establishment of a cross-Whitehall ministerial group on tourism and high-level tourism advisory group, to be chaired by the Minister for Tourism.

To explore the feasibility of a British City of Culture, potentially every four years.

To maximise the tourism potential of forthcoming sporting events under the banner of a Decade of Sport.

Meet with all regional development agencies to discuss the support given to tourism in each region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when (a) he and (b) the Minister for Tourism last met the head of tourism in each of the nine regions of England. (254453)

[holding answer 5 February 2009]: The Secretary of State and I have met a number of representatives and received various representations from the regional development agencies and from the wider tourism sectors in the regions. Last summer the Secretary of State, Minister for Tourism and Minister for Sport met all the chairs of the regional development agencies and I plan to meet each of the regions in the spring to follow up on the fruitful discussions held at the tourism summit in Liverpool last month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by (a) UK tourists visiting overseas destinations and (b) overseas tourists visiting UK destinations in each of the last 10 financial years. (254557)

The amounts spent by UK tourists visiting overseas and overseas tourists visiting the UK in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available are as follows¹:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of global tourism the UK has received in each of the last 10 years. (254558)

VisitBritain have advised that the percentage of global tourism the UK has received, in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, is as follows;

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the wish list his Department has requested from VisitBritain in relation to helping tourism to Britain during the economic downturn. (254560)

[holding answer 5 February 2009]: VisitBritain has provided some initial thoughts on the industry’s main needs, pending its final submission. When it is received, Ministers will give it full consideration with a view to how best to achieve the full potential of tourism to the British economy during the period of the global economic downturn.