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TOURA 16 02

NOTE OF TOURISM ALLIANCE MEETING - 17 JUNE 2002

Venue: CBI Centre Point London

  1. Purpose of the meeting:

A)To discuss progress since the launch of the Tourism Alliance Spending Priorities Report.

B) To discuss issues surrounding training and job creation within the sector and the challenges that these presented.

  1. Attendance:

Digby Jones, Chairman of the Alliance; Moderator for the evening, Martin Couchman, Deputy Chief Executive of the BHA. Speakers: Lesley Keenan Head of Training and Human Resources at the English Tourism Council and Cath Fare, Job Creation and Training Manager, Cumbria Tourist Board. Members: Over 30 trade sector bodies.

  1. General issues:
  • Digby Jones welcomed members. He begun by congratulating Chris Collier, Chief Executive, Cumbria Tourist Board on her recent OBE in recognition for her services to tourism.
  • He then congratulated the Alliance on the successful launch of the Tourism Alliance Spending Priorities Report and the good press coverage that it had received. However he stressed that all members needed keep up the momentum by using the data and referring to the report in its recommendations wherever possible
  • He then updated members on Alliance activities in the last three months including his meeting with the Chancellor to discuss Comprehensive Spending Review matters.
  1. Members' Concerns:

Digby Jones invited members to raise any issues of concern to them.

  • Reform of English Tourism

Members expressed disquiet about recent government plans to reform the structure of English tourism-its development and delivery. Points raised included the fact that government had not properly consulted the industry. In particular it had omitted to consult the Alliance. The short time frame of the consultation process. Members were told that the intention of the DCMS was to announce the changes by the end of July. The fact that the proposals had not emanated from civil servants which therefore indicates a political imperative to the discussions.

  • Members expressed concern that the Alliance should be involved in the consultation process and urged that an approach be made to the DCMS on this issue.

5. Comprehensive Spending Review

  • Digby Jones outlined the CBI's recommendations for tourism, which had been included in its Comprehensive Spending Review submission.
  • He stated that all members would receive a copy of the submission shortly.

6. Presentations

Cath Fare - Job Creation and Training Manager, Cumbria Tourist Board, gave a short presentation on the steps being taken Cumbria to tackle the problem of the large number of tourism job vacancies in the area each year and the fact that the industry still has a poor image. She outlined the initiatives being implemented to encourage more young people to take up careers in the tourism industry and the challenges faced in seeking to change employers' attitudes to training.

Lesley Keenan - Head of Training and Human Resources, English Tourism Council (and a member of the steering committee set up to oversee the development and the work of a Sector Skills Council) gave a presentation on the on-going work and challenge to create a SSC for the sector.

Discussion

In the ensuing discussion, members agreed that:

  • Training and skill shortages were the biggest issues facing the industry. In some areas labour shortage was also a factor.
  • The lack of core skills including numercy and literacy amongst school leavers also needed to be tackled urgently.
  • It was essential that the industry fully supported the formation of a Sector Skills Council so that approval from the Sector Skills Development Agency could be achieved as soon as possible.
  • There needed to be greater incentives for employers to train their staff such as more generous tax credits.
  • The announcement of £30m for IIP to encourage smaller businesses was welcome.

8. Close

Secretariat: July 02