Tourism - Credit Crunched

A recent seminar by VisitBritain and Visit London discussed their research into how the credit crunch has impacted on domestic tourism. Notes taken by Kurt Janson (Policy Director at Tourism Alliance) can be found here. The research considers the attitudes of respondents to the credit crunch, spending in the current climate, lifestyle changes including changing travel behaviour.

Despite the economic downturn, indications are that travel is still high on the list of priorities for many people, who view it as a necessity rather than a luxury; this has been outlined in a summary of the research by Visitbritain. They also look at marketing strategies to encourage Brits to take their holidays in the UK.

"...Sport builds bridges between individuals and across communities, providing a fertile ground for sowing the seeds of development and peace."
Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace

Sport is helping to bring together diverse communities worldwide; programmes which have been set up have helped areas split by war, refugees and young soldiers to integrate back into the community. There are many great examples of organisations, many non-profit, which have helped in this way - these include the International Table Tennis Federation which managed to encourage dialogue between the US and China, in the 1970s and the Cross Cultures Open Fun Football Schools. Another international organisation is Right to Play that aims to improve health, life skills and peace within communities and disadvantaged regions.

At a conference next week in Cardiff, discussions will include how to develop frameworks to encourage sports in devolved regions.