Eleanor Laing calls on Government to promote local tourist attractions during the Olympics
Eleanor Laing calls on the Government to ensure that the worldwide advertising campaign to promote UK tourism ahead of the Olympics also publicises Olympic venues outside London, such as the white water centre in Waltham Abbey, and encourages people to visit local attractions.
Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): What plans VisitEngland has to promote domestic tourism during the London 2012 Olympics. [94336]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (John Penrose): In March VisitEngland will launch a new £4 million domestic marketing campaign to promote UK tourism throughout 2012. We are encouraging the tourism industry to sign up to a scheme that offers 20.12% off all sorts of different accommodation and attractions. The promotion will be supported by a high-profile TV campaign.
Mrs Laing: I am sure that the House will be delighted to hear the Minister’s enthusiasm, and to hear of the worldwide advertising campaign to encourage people to come to London. Will he also publicise the fact that many Olympic venues are outside London, such as the excellent white water centre in Waltham Abbey in my constituency? Will he encourage people to enjoy the wonders of the Lee Valley Park, the ancient town of Waltham Abbey, its beautiful church and, of course, the wonders of the beautiful Epping Forest?
John Penrose: I would be delighted to do that. In fact, that is one of the central aims of the campaign. We will use the torch relay, which I believe will go to my hon. Friend’s constituency on 7 July, as a way of promoting the different parts of the country that it will visit and all the things that can be done there, including, in her case, the Lee Valley white water centre, as well as the Waltham Abbey church and its links with King Harold.
