Bay MP Tackles Blair on Torbay’s Tourism Concerns

Local MP Adrian Sanders has used the first Prime Minister’s Question Time of the new parliamentary session to quiz Tony Blair on the Government’s lack of support for local tourist economies such as Torbay.

Adrian challenged the Prime Minister on the exclusion of tourism from his list of departmental priorities, published in May this year.

The Prime Minister defended the Government’s record on tourism, calling the industry a “vital priority” for the UK. He promised the Government would “continue to do everything it could to support the tourism industry”.

Adrian commented:

“Whilst the Government’s actions will speak louder than their words, this represented an excellent opportunity to challenge the Prime Minister over the Government’s record on tourism, and to keep the problems affecting the industry in Torbay firmly on the agenda”

The MP has spent the summer conducting a consultation with Torbay’s tourist operators, addressing the issues affecting the sector, and planning the next steps for the industry.

The plans are to be published in a consultation report, which will be distributed amongst local tourist businesses.

Adrian said:

“I received many interesting responses that showed knowledge of problems affecting the industry and a real passion for the area.

“I will continue to fight for more support for the tourism industry in Torbay”.