Political manifestos reveal support for events industry
Source: C&IT MAGAZINE
The UK events industry has been recognised in the three main party manifestos according to the Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP).
The industry body plans to publish its own manifesto to issue to the new government following the elections on 6 May.
BVEP chairman Michael Hirst said the party manifestos were “encouraging and a recognition that the importance of events to the economy and the community is beginning to gain some political traction and the creative industries, of which events are a part and should be further supported.”
He added: “While we still have a long way to go to establish business visits and events firmly in the minds of politicians, the three main party manifestos are certainly encouraging and demonstrate that the work we have done over the past 12 months has, at the very least, caught their attention. The publication of our own manifesto will continue to push forward our message and ensure the industry receives the recognition and support it deserves.”
Events industry highlights from the three manifestos:
Labour
* Use London 2012 and sporting events to boost UK tourism
* A biennial Festival of Britain from 2013
* Showcase major cultural achievements across creative industries
Conservative
* Glasgow, Brighton and Manchester highlighted as ‘dynamic destinations’
* Lottery allocation restored for sport, heritage and the arts
* Commitment to seeing sport, the arts and creative industries flourish and promoting Britain as an attractive tourist destination
* The Conservative Party has also published a separate Tourism Report that calls for further support for the events sector
Liberal Democrats
* Arts are a central part of civic and community life
* Creative industries are the fastest growth sector, and culture and heritage play a vital role in boosting tourism
* Proposal for a Creative Enterprise Fund to help the establishment of more businesses in the sector