Farron calls for cabinet committee to be set up to help promote tourism

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called on the government to create a cabinet committee to give tourism a key role at the heart of government.

The proposal was one of 80 submitted to the government this week by an independent panel. The panel was chaired by Alan Parker, President of the British Hospitality Association. The report written by the panel is called: Smart Regulation and Economic Growth: Seizing the Tourism Opportunity.

The panel has asked the government to deal with red tape which hampers the tourism sector - highlighting issues like adjusting visa controls to makeBritaina more welcoming destination for visitors, greater recognition of tourism in the planning process and reform of the fire safety and health & safety regulations were also amongst the proposals. The report has been widely welcomed by people within the tourism sector such as ABTA who see this report as a major step forward.

Tim has for many months been running a campaign to boost tourism and has been seeking to promoteCumbriaas an 'attack brand' forBritain's tourism industry. The tourism sector plays a vital role in the Cumbrian economy, it provides around 32,000 jobs (Full Time Equivalents) and provides around £2bn of investment each year.

One of the Taskforce's principal recommendations is to establish a cross-Cabinet committee in order to coordinate government policies affecting the industry.

Tim said: "Tourism plays a key role in our economy and for the last year I have been running a campaign to promote and expand tourism in Cumbria. I would like the government to create a cabinet committee to cross departmental lines and allow our tourism sector to be promoted at the heart of government."