Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Paragraph: 96
The capacity constraints that arise from the requirements of social distancing make yield management and...
Recommendation
The capacity constraints that arise from the requirements of social distancing make yield management and smoothing out demand more important than ever. The Eat Out to Help Out programme will help shift some demand to trough days. Doubtless attractions, transport providers and lodgings will re-examine their own promotional programmes to maximise yield in these circumstances, and where relevant, attractions will look at their opening hours/days. DCMS needs to go further in supporting work to reduce the seasonality of the UK tourism industry. This will matter next year, as well as in 2020, due to the problem of booking deferrals and concomitant loss of income for a second year in a row. In its response to this report, DCMS should set out its plans for supporting an extension of the holiday season. As a matter of urgency, DCMS should introduce a Tourism Data Hub to assess visitor intention for 2021 so that the industry can plan ahead for next year.
Paragraph Reference:
96
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government has implemented a series of measures to support the extension of the holiday season. For example, businesses will benefit from the cut in VAT for most tourism activities until the end of March 2021, and eligible businesses won’t have to pay business rates until the end of March 2021. This will assist with cash flow throughout the off- season. VisitEngland and VisitBritain launched a domestic campaign in mid-September to build consumer confidence and stimulate demand throughout the Autumn and Winter season. We have encouraged local planning authorities to exercise discretion in relation to planning conditions for caravan campsites and holiday parks, in order to help these businesses extend their open season. The Government continues to engage regularly with businesses and representatives from across the tourism sector and is also closely monitoring how the sector is performing following reopening. On the Tourism Data Hub, the Government is committed to implementing this policy, first announced in last year’s Tourism Sector Deal. The Government is actively looking at how to fund and support the Data Hub for the coming years. Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors: Government Response 15