Lobbying in 2010
Tourism South East dedicates a significant amount of time and effort to working with other industry partners to lobby MPs, policy makers and regulatory bodies in order to create the most favourable conditions possible for the tourism sector to thrive.
Our Chief Executive sits on the board of the national Tourism Alliance and he, the Chairman and other members of the senior management team attend numerous meetings with key decision makers to represent the concerns of businesses in the tourism sector.
Our in house policy officer monitors all regulatory developments and ensures that we make written representations on all important issues.
Below is a recap of some of this year’s most important lobbying efforts.
Daylight Saving
Tourism South East has been a long term supporter of calls to adjust our clocks to double summertime. Our research has concluded that the benefit to the tourism sector could be in excess of £2.5billion if the UK moved its clocks forward by one hour.
Recent moves in Parliament have given us hope that our lobbying on this issue may be coming to fruition.
Furnished Holiday Lettings rules
The proposal by the last Chancellor in his 2009 Budget to repeal the FHL rules was highly controversial for the self catering sector. Tourism South East has worked hard to influence the decision to reinstate the rules and our efforts with other partners proved successful when the decision was voted down by Parliament before the General Election.
The new Chancellor is considering how to amend the rules in next year’s Budget and we have been active in representing the industry to Treasury policy makers.
Performing Right Society
PRS licences are necessary for any business or person who wants to play copyright music in public. As part of this, small accommodation providers are required to pay for a licence if they have televisions in guest bedrooms – a requirement that Tourism South East has lobbied hard to overturn.
Working with industry partners and led by the BHA, a settlement was reached with the PRS earlier this year.
Digital Economy Bill
The Digital Economy Bill places new responsibilities on businesses that provide internet access for guests and imposes tough penalties on those who do not abide by the regulations. Tourism South East has lobbied the government in an effort to ensure that the regulations are implemented sensibly.
Reducing Regulation
The Coalition Government has invited representative from all sectors of business and public life to contribute to a consultation on Government regulation.
Tourism South East has worked with other partners in the Tourism Alliance to provide one comprehensive response on behalf of the tourism industry.
Read more about the Tourism Alliance submission here
Tourism Manifesto
The General Election in May and formation of the Coalition Government seems like a long time ago! Prior to the election the various bodies that comprise the Tourism Alliance worked together to compile a manifesto that was sent out to all Parliamentary candidates across the country in order to raise the profile of the sector and inform all MPs of the important issues facing the industry.
Download the Tourism Alliance manifesto here
Are we missing anything?
If there is a policy issue that you think we are missing please feel free to contact the development team.
