asked Her Majesty's Government:What will be the positive and negative effects over the next decade on the British tourism industry of the advent of the euro, whether or not the United Kingdom adopts the euro. [HL1541]

It is notoriously difficult to predict trends in visitor numbers and expenditure by tourists one year ahead, and we would be unwise to try to do so for the next decade. We are not able to forecast the possible effects of exchange rates on the tourism industry in or out of the euro zone in this way.We are working hard, however, to ensure that tourism businesses in the UK are fully informed about the euro and the introduction of euro currency. My department chairs a working group which seeks to raise awareness of the impact of the euro on tourism businesses and to disseminate information to the industry.