British tourism needs real leadership

If you thought the Football Association had a revolving-door policy towards the job of England coach – six in the past 12 years – then check out the Government's approach to the post of tourism minister. No fewer than eight incumbents have graced this key department over the same period – and soon there will have been nine.

Last month the Government announced that Margaret Hodge, who had been on compassionate leave to look after her husband since October 2008, was returning to the role. She takes over from Barbara Follett, who lasted less than a year in this key role.Given that we are counting down to the Olympics in 2012, is this "in-out" policy really the best way to push forward the case for British tourism?

The 2012 Games are expected to provide a boost to tourism revenues, yet the Government seems intent on putting foreigners off visiting these shores (and Britons off holidaying at home). A recent report by the consultancy firm Deloitte found that skill shortages, transport difficulties and overcrowding are hindering the growth of British tourism.

An embarrassed Mrs Follett was forced to apologise to tourism leaders at the opening of the World Travel Market in London last year on a day of epic transport delays, yet still the Government raises transport costs. It is also raising APD by up to 118 per cent at a time when the travel industry is under colossal pressure. Had it not been for the weakness of the pound against most major currencies, this summer might well have been a washout for tourism.

Last October we suggested to Mrs Follett that the rapid turnover of tourism ministers did not seem to indicate much of a commitment to an industry that brings in £114 billion a year. She replied that "what matters is the quality, not the number, of ministers of tourism". Yet a poll this week of Daily Telegraph readers found that only one per cent knew the tourism minister's name.

Key figures from the travel industry, including the chief executives of Hoseasons, Butlins and Travelodge, wrote a letter to the Prime Minister in February calling for tourism – currently part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – to be a ministry in its own right to encourage a co-ordinated approach.

They argue that current shortcomings have less to do with money – some £350 million is spent on tourism promotion each year – than where it is being spent.

Mrs Follett's answer: "In today's complex world it is difficult, and possibly unwise, to try to corral a multi-faceted industry like tourism into one department. To be dealt with effectively, it needs to be mainstreamed into many."

Thanks to jargon-filled, wishy-washy responses like that, Mrs Follett is likely to be remembered only for her £25,000 expenses claim for security patrols at her Stevenage home – or perhaps not at all. Over to you Mrs Hodge.