Tourism Minister in the UK creates controversy

The tourism Minister in the UK, Margaret Hodge, created a whirlwind of controversy for comments she made regarding hotels and transportation in the country.  Instead of promoting tourism in the UK she pointed out things like how terrible the transportation is and how hotels are of poor quality near landmarks.  Instead of pointing out all of the wonderful things that visitors can see and do in the UK she stated that she would rather take a holiday in Italy.

Hodge also criticized hotels in the UK saying “I agree that hotels are expensive and I worry about the quality.  Tourists need to be offered good deals and we have to make attractions better.  Along with interest groups, I’m putting a lot of effort into sorting out Stonehenge. The facilities don’t befit a World Heritage Site.”

When Hodge was asked about what she thought about travelling on the London Underground she responded “I don’t do the rush hour. I used to and it was dreadful.”  She added that “In the States, I saw double- decker trains and I thought those could help with overcrowding here.”

Mike Penning who is the Tory MP said in regards to Hodge’s comments: “What a stupid set of remarks. My constituents have no choice but to travel on the London Underground to work and back and Mrs. Hodge ought to be instead asking why eight years of a Labour mayor failed to improve the London Underground enough for her to use it.”

www.visitbritain.com