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<p>Estimates of the direct tourism gross value added (GVA) contribution to the UK
economy for each English region, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were recently
published by the Office for National Statistics for the year 2011. In total, they
show that tourism directly contributed a GVA of around £50 billion to the UK (4% of
the economy).</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Region</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>ONS
figures for 2011</strong></p><p><strong>(direct in £bn)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Scotland</p></td><td><p>5.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wales</p></td><td><p>2.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Northern
Ireland</p></td><td><p>0.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London</p></td><td><p>13.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rest
of England</p></td><td><p>–</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East</p></td><td><p>1.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North
West</p></td><td><p>5.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Yorkshire and the Humber</p></td><td><p>2.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East
Midlands</p></td><td><p>2.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>West Midlands</p></td><td><p>2.5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East
of England</p></td><td><p>3.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South East</p></td><td><p>6.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South
West</p></td><td><p>4.4</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Further economic analysis
by Deloitte, commissioned by VisitBritain, suggests that if indirect economic effects
are also included, GVA is forecast to be as high as £127 billion (9% of the UK economy)
in 2013.</p><p>In terms of supporting small, local hospitality businesses, since April
2013 community venues have not had to apply to the local council for an entertainment
license for events such as dance displays and concerts. Previously, such licenses
currently cost, on average, more than £200 for new applications or needed at least
10 days' notice for Temporary Event Notices. At the 2014 Budget, the tax on a typical
pint of beer was cut by 1 penny, the duty on ordinary cider was frozen this year,
and the duty escalator for wine was ended. Duty on spirits was also frozen for 2014-15.</p><p>Furthermore,
thematic marketing campaigns focusing on what England is most loved for including
Heritage, Coast, Countryside and Culture, as well as Sport and Literature, will be
delivered and developed as part of the three-year, £19.8m project 'Growing Tourism
Locally', funded by the Government's Regional Growth Fund (BIS), with contributions
from VisitEngland and private sector. The project focuses on working directly with
destinations and the private sector, to create a number of dedicated marketing campaigns
throughout the country with emphasis on specific areas and themes. This will also
benefit SMEs in the hospitality sector.</p>
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