£3.6 million boost for ETC’s e-tourism vision

Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell has announced a £3.6 million grant to the English Tourism Council (ETC) to develop its e-tourism EnglandNet project.

Last month, Tessa Jowell announced up to £20 million of extra public money would be available for promoting Britain abroad. The money will be match-funded by the private sector to create a £40 million campaign. The aim of that campaign is to encourage a million more visitors to Britain this year.

The ETC said that the new funding for the EnglandNet project will be used to ensure that people are able to access quality-assured information on the full range of tourism products and experiences available across England. This could be from home or in public places using devices such as touch screen kiosks or via mobile phones.

The money will support an action plan that includes a new system to integrate up-to-the-minute tourism product information across England. Pilot schemes will be put in place to make the latest tourist information available through new outlets such as libraries or post offices. These schemes will initially be set up in areas worst affected by foot and mouth and the events of September 11, to try to help rebuild confidence as part of the recovery effort.

Commenting on this latest injection of cash into the EnglandNet project, Tessa Jowell said: “More and more people are planning and booking their holidays on the internet. To stay competitive, English tourism must provide what the customer wants and that includes real-time, quality-assured information, a co-ordinated point for that information and the ability to book holidays online. And that’s what EnglandNet promises. Be it a cosy B&B, country hotel or adventure package, EnglandNet will make it easier and more attractive to explore what’s on our doorstep.”

ETC chief executive Mary Lynch said: “We are grateful to the Secretary of State for her commitment and enthusiasm in helping to secure this vital funding. This is very welcome news and a massive boost to our vision of linking up consumers and tourism businesses electronically. For England to compete effectively on the world stage we need the tools of the digital age, combined with a change in the way our industry works together to use them.”

EnglandNet’s newly-appointed project director Paul Byerley will be responsible technical and commercial development of the project. Prior to joining EnglandNet, Mr Byerley was managing director of a German company, which provided e-commerce services for tourism businesses.

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25-Sept-2001 EnglandNet Partnership makes e-tourism a reality