The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has expressed its "dismay" at the government's decision to axe up to half the staff at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president & CEO of WTTC, said the government's plans were naïve and that the cuts would "stagnate" growth in the sector.

"Yet again this coalition government has shown incredible short-sightedness and bad judgement.

"The Travel & Tourism economy is worth £140bon to the UK, a similar share of GDP to the financial and business services sector - 10.1 per cent compared to 9.2 per cent respectively in 2009.

"But while the latter received a bailout to the tune of £850bn and still struggles in its lengthy recovery, the government appears to be actively working to stagnate growth in travel and tourism.

"If it continues down this path, the UK will quickly lose its competitive advantage and find itself fall from the top ten league of international destinations.

"We are not asking for a handout, but the private sector needs this government to implement policies that will help it thrive and quickly create new employment opportunities to help bring the UK further out of recession."