UKinbound is shocked and disappointed to learn that VisitBritain is being compelled to cut up to 80 more staff having lost 60 posts just 3 years ago. These latest cuts are being portrayed as a strategic review but the sad reality is that VisitBritain has a funding crisis caused by 10 years of standstill Government investment in tourism. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has consistently ignored the vital role VisitBritain has played in promoting one of our largest industries and the UK�s second largest export earner.

DCMS has seen its budget more than double over the last decade but none of that increase has been invested in tourism. At the same time we have seen a large increase in tourism taxes that undermines our international competitiveness. This shameful state of affairs is a damning indictment of Government, and in particular DCMS, policy on tourism.

We operate in a highly competitive global market and our main competitors are investing heavily to grow their market share. Despite a lack of Government investment, VisitBritain has continued to be held in high regard but these latest job cuts will undermine its ability to maintain those high standards and put in jeopardy years of good work.

At this time of preparation for the 2012 Olympics it is incredibly short-sighted of DCMS to be reducing the resource available to VisitBritain whilst stating that tourism revenue should be boosted by some �2 billion as a result of hosting the Games. There is no question the industry will play its role in delivering quality products and services to overseas visitors but they may well find them few and far between if funding is not made available immediately to market Britain during these crucial years leading up to the Games.

UKinbound joins our industry colleagues in urging DCMS and the Treasury to immediately provide the essential investment in tourism and our national tourist board that would secure the long term viability of our export tourism businesses.

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Notes to editors:

UKinbound is a trade association founded in 1977 to represent the interests of UK companies deriving a substantial part of their income from the provision of tourism services for overseas visitors to the UK. Further information on UKinbound can be viewed at www.ukinbound.org. In 2005, there were over 30 million visitors to the UK, generating �14.2 billion in export earnings, whilst UK citizens spent �32.2 billion on overseas trips (source IPS).

For further information, or to arrange an interview with Stephen Dowd, Chief Executive UKinbound please contact: Janet McCready Tel: 020 7395 7502 Fax: 020 7240 6618 Email: janetmccready@ukinbound.org