Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay, has welcomed the announcement by the Government yesterday of a landmark sector deal for the UK tourism industry to attract more domestic and overseas visitors and help drive major economic growth.
The announcement follows an initial proposal submitted by tourism industry leaders, with whom Steve has been working closely with.
As part of this process, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Jeremy Wright has called upon the tourist industry to respond with a renewed commitment to promote its offer throughout the year, not just in the peak summer months, and increase clear career paths.
The sector has been asked to look at the key themes of:
- Making tourism and hospitality a career for life
- Making the UK the most accessible tourism industry in the world
- Sharing industry data to identify growth opportunities in new and emerging markets
- Increasing accommodation capacity
Commenting, Steve said:
“I am delighted to hear this positive movement by the Government to support the tourist industry post-Brexit.”
“This is something I have been working with business leaders in the sector both in Cornwall, and nationally, as Chair of the Visitor Economy All Party Parliamentary Group to achieve.”
“Obviously the tourism sector is a major part of Cornwall’s economy. Nationally UK tourism is now worth over £66 billion a year to the economy, and the sector employs 1.6 million people.”
“So it is especially essential at this time that the Government does everything it can to support and grow the industry for the future.”
“This announcement is great news and I look forward to seeing this deal proceed in order to get the best possible outcome for our tourist industry in Cornwall.”