In comparison the rest of the museum community receives far less funding per visitor from a variety of sources -

In comparison, the rest of the museum community receives far less funding per visitor from a variety of sources – local government, sponsorship, income generation etc. As a result the potential of many of these museums is not being met.Of course the challenge for museums, both larger and smaller, is to enhance the UK’s tourism potential, but they also play a vital role in learning and education, economic regeneration of our towns and cities, space for community participation, and as a place to preserve our material and intellectual heritage.The partial implementation of Renaissance (less than half the recommended funds was made available by the Government) will now mean that, in 2005-06, £30m will be allocated to museums in the English regions, although in the same year the DCMS intends to support the 18 nationally funded institutions to the tune of £300m. I assume he is referring to the Government’s continuing support for the Renaissance in the Regions report (2000). All of these institutions play a hugely important role in promoting tourism.

They also underpin education, promote community cohesion, foster creativity and, in many cases, contribute to regeneration and neighbourhood renewal.MARK WOOD Chair, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council London SW1Sir: Although I would largely agree with Hamish McRae’s argument that the future for British tourism should aim to develop its cultural and educational attractions, I was surprised at his assertion that the Government’s policy of supporting “smaller [museums] .. must be nuts”. Regional museums which have benefited from Renaissance so far include Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, Brighton Royal Pavilion and the London Transport Museum. But improving regional museum services has not been at the expense of London museums. Far from it: this has been completely new funding, and a core aim of Renaissance is to enable regional institutions to work more effectively with their national partners.Nor is it only the “big London museums” which act as tourist attractions.

But he is wrong to say that funds are being skewed away from “the big London museums” to smaller “provincial” ones.True, museums in the North-east, West Midlands and South-west have received a significant boost thanks to Renaissance, the groundbreaking scheme to transform England’s regional museums. So, instead of cities giving themselves massive debts in their bids to hold the Games, money could be spent on providing better training facilities for young athletes and the money generated by the Games spent to maintain the facilities in Athens.VALERIE MORGAN Benfleet, Essex Museum funding Sir: Hamish McRae (26 August) is quite right to point out the importance of the UK’s museums and galleries to the tourist industry. As a result their services are improving dramatically – a third more schoolchildren are using them, and over £7m has been spent upgrading collections – and we are hoping to be able to expand the scheme in other regions soon. The Olympic Games’ multicultural microcosm of art and sport is a reality, and should provide for all who seek peace and safety in our world to think long and hard as to how we may implement further the blueprint ethos for the continuation of life, rather than to sit and argue, kill and maim each other, and watch “the clash of cultures” become a self-fulfilling prophecy.DIMITRIOS TSOURIS ExeterSir: Following what seems to have been a very successful Olympic Games, might it not be an idea to hold the Olympics in Athens every four years? Athens is clearly the spiritual home of the Games and provided a superb venue.