Menu
20/05/2003
Howells begins promo tour with Hollywood jibe
Tourism Minister Kim Howells kicked off his six-day tour of the US, to drum up vital trade for the UK's tourist industry, in typically direct fashion today.
Before departure Dr Howells offered potential US tourists – who read the Financial Times – a traditional, jaunty British salute by accusing its Hollywood action stars of not having the "balls" to fly to Europe because of fears of terrorist attack. He was speaking after a clutch of screen actors did not make the trip to the Cannes Film Festival in France.
Dr Howell's has a history of using direct, uncomplicated language at public events. At a display of Turner Prize entries earlier this year, he wrote on a comment slip that the exhibition was filled with "conceptual bullshit". The Royal family have also been dismissed by Dr Howells as "a bit bonkers" in the past.
It is expected that Dr Howells will begin his US visit with a stopover at the "gateway" cities of Chicago and New York, whose airports accounted for 23% of US visitors to the UK during 2002.
Currently, the government claims that figures show the UK's tourism industry is "well on the road to recovery" following the effects of foot and mouth disease and September 11 - overall visitor numbers are up 1% on 2001 and up 8% on 2002. And Dr Howell's clearly believes that playing host to more high-profile personalities would boost that recovery further.
However, the recovery in the North American market has been slower than in Western Europe and elsewhere - latest figures for the first three months of the year show visits from the US to the UK were 14% down on 2001 and 9% down on 2002.
And as North Americans are the biggest spenders, this means tourist expenditure has not recovered in line with visitor numbers.
Dr Howells said: "The tourism industry has proven itself to be very resilient during turbulent times. Overall, visitor numbers are back to where they were at the start of 2001. This is a very considerable achievement.
"But visitor numbers alone won't sustain the tourism industry. We need people to spend when they get here. Unfortunately expenditure has not recovered so well, largely because of the lower recovery in the North American market.
"I hope I can help convince North Americans that we should be top of their list when shopping for a European holiday this summer."
The minister's visit will pave the way for a £2 million advertising campaign organised by national tourism lead body VisitBritain. It will target key gateway cities in the US next month.
Compared to the rest of Europe, Britain's market has performed strongly in the past year. In 2002 Britain saw a 2% increase in American visitors - in stark contrast to the rest of Europe, where the only other country to report an increase was Bulgaria, which recorded a rise of only 0.3% from a much lower base.
Of the 4.9 million visits to the UK by overseas residents in the first quarter of 2003 3.4 million were from Western Europe while 800,000 were from North America and 800,000 were from all other countries.
In 2001, tourism was worth £74 billion, accounting for 4.5% of the UK economy.
(GMcG)
Before departure Dr Howells offered potential US tourists – who read the Financial Times – a traditional, jaunty British salute by accusing its Hollywood action stars of not having the "balls" to fly to Europe because of fears of terrorist attack. He was speaking after a clutch of screen actors did not make the trip to the Cannes Film Festival in France.
Dr Howell's has a history of using direct, uncomplicated language at public events. At a display of Turner Prize entries earlier this year, he wrote on a comment slip that the exhibition was filled with "conceptual bullshit". The Royal family have also been dismissed by Dr Howells as "a bit bonkers" in the past.
It is expected that Dr Howells will begin his US visit with a stopover at the "gateway" cities of Chicago and New York, whose airports accounted for 23% of US visitors to the UK during 2002.
Currently, the government claims that figures show the UK's tourism industry is "well on the road to recovery" following the effects of foot and mouth disease and September 11 - overall visitor numbers are up 1% on 2001 and up 8% on 2002. And Dr Howell's clearly believes that playing host to more high-profile personalities would boost that recovery further.
However, the recovery in the North American market has been slower than in Western Europe and elsewhere - latest figures for the first three months of the year show visits from the US to the UK were 14% down on 2001 and 9% down on 2002.
And as North Americans are the biggest spenders, this means tourist expenditure has not recovered in line with visitor numbers.
Dr Howells said: "The tourism industry has proven itself to be very resilient during turbulent times. Overall, visitor numbers are back to where they were at the start of 2001. This is a very considerable achievement.
"But visitor numbers alone won't sustain the tourism industry. We need people to spend when they get here. Unfortunately expenditure has not recovered so well, largely because of the lower recovery in the North American market.
"I hope I can help convince North Americans that we should be top of their list when shopping for a European holiday this summer."
The minister's visit will pave the way for a £2 million advertising campaign organised by national tourism lead body VisitBritain. It will target key gateway cities in the US next month.
Compared to the rest of Europe, Britain's market has performed strongly in the past year. In 2002 Britain saw a 2% increase in American visitors - in stark contrast to the rest of Europe, where the only other country to report an increase was Bulgaria, which recorded a rise of only 0.3% from a much lower base.
Of the 4.9 million visits to the UK by overseas residents in the first quarter of 2003 3.4 million were from Western Europe while 800,000 were from North America and 800,000 were from all other countries.
In 2001, tourism was worth £74 billion, accounting for 4.5% of the UK economy.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 September 2014
Undamaged Eastbourne Pier To be Re-Opened
Eastbourne District Council has announced that the fire-damaged Eastbourne pier will partially re-open on 27 September. New walkways have been constructed to allow visitors access undamaged sections of the historic pier, which was damaged in a fire on 31 July.
Undamaged Eastbourne Pier To be Re-Opened
Eastbourne District Council has announced that the fire-damaged Eastbourne pier will partially re-open on 27 September. New walkways have been constructed to allow visitors access undamaged sections of the historic pier, which was damaged in a fire on 31 July.
10 March 2006
Minister begins Iraq visit
Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells has arrived in Iraq on a three-day visit to Basra. His visit will focus on the oil sector, although he will also meet local Iraqi and British officials. Dr Howells said: "Since my last visit, the Iraqi people have turned out in their millions to agree a new constitution and elect a new parliament.
Minister begins Iraq visit
Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells has arrived in Iraq on a three-day visit to Basra. His visit will focus on the oil sector, although he will also meet local Iraqi and British officials. Dr Howells said: "Since my last visit, the Iraqi people have turned out in their millions to agree a new constitution and elect a new parliament.
07 January 2005
Scientific research to receive additional funding
The Government has announced an increase in funding to help ensure that the UK's scientific research is put on a "secure and sustainable footing".
Scientific research to receive additional funding
The Government has announced an increase in funding to help ensure that the UK's scientific research is put on a "secure and sustainable footing".
16 August 2013
UK Tourism Hits Record Levels
The UK tourism sector has seen the highest record levels of spend and visitor numbers since 2008.
UK Tourism Hits Record Levels
The UK tourism sector has seen the highest record levels of spend and visitor numbers since 2008.
08 July 2011
Staycations Help Economy
Scotland's tourism businesses have a golden opportunity to exploit the growing market for staycations, Fergus Ewing said today. The Tourism Minister was commenting on a new report that showed Scotland is continuing to feel the positive effects of those holidaying at home, with Scots making 6.
Staycations Help Economy
Scotland's tourism businesses have a golden opportunity to exploit the growing market for staycations, Fergus Ewing said today. The Tourism Minister was commenting on a new report that showed Scotland is continuing to feel the positive effects of those holidaying at home, with Scots making 6.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
