Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with the organisers of hen, stag and party weekends on the potential negative effects of those types of holidays on the destinations in which they take place.

We remain committed to supporting the tourism sector under the framework of the Tourism Recovery Plan (TRP). The objectives aim to support the sector to remain resilient and continue as an engine for growth.

DCMS considers issues and impacts across the tourism industry with senior industry representatives through the Tourism Industry Council. Also represented on the Council are Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), who speak for the impact on regional destinations, and the Local Government Association, who represent the views of local authorities and communities.

The Government supports the sharing economy and the economic benefits that it can bring. However, we are aware of some of the concerns about the potential negative effects on local communities that short term lets may have, as opposed to other types of accommodation. As a first step to address these challenges, we held a Call for Evidence between June and September 2022, and we are now analysing the responses.

The Home Office is responsible for the development and maintenance of alcohol policy, including the Licensing Act 2003. Decision-making on matters relating to alcohol licensing and enforcement thereof is devolved to local authorities. Anyone making an application for a premises licence must set out the steps they will take to promote the licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children.