Liberal Democrats in Business

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VisitBritain announcement is disastrous for Olympic legacy - Foster

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd May 2007

VisitBritain, the Government-funded tourism board, has told staff that up to 80 positions are to be axed.

Commenting on the news, which was announced to staff today, Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary said:

"It is disastrous for the organisation responsible for marketing Britain to the rest of the world to be put in this position due to a lack of Government support.

"British tourism has been consistently undermined by this Government's complete failure to recognise or support its vital contribution to the economy.

"Such blinkered policy is beyond me, anyone can see that tourism will be a vital source of income for the Olympics and key to ensuring a positive legacy.

"If the Government is serious about making money from the Olympics then they should be championing British tourism rather than undermining it through real term cuts."

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