Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay has joined Tourism Minister Michael Ellis to shine a spotlight on the country’s tourism industry in a week devoted to travel and exploration during English Tourism Week (ETW) 30 March - 7 April 2018.
Steve joined with the Tourism Minister Minister to celebrate English Tourism Week and to meet with representatives of the national tourist board VisitBritain/Visit England, to hear about the opportunities tourism presents for the economy.
Now in its eighth year, English Tourism Week raises the profile and showcases the benefits of the tourism industry to local communities and the economy.
English Tourism Week is particularly special this year, as we celebrate 50 years as the British Tourist Authority (BTA). The Development of Tourism Act was passed in 1969 and VisitBritain/Visit England are using this milestone to look back on the importance of tourism progression and its value to destinations across the nations and regions, local businesses and to champion the future of tourism as one of the UK’s biggest drivers of economic growth and employment.
Commenting, Steve said:
“I was delighted to meet with the Minister and representatives of Visit Britain and Visit England to highlight with them the huge part that Cornwall plays in the country’s visitor economy. With world-renowned destinations such as the Eden Project as well as surf capital Newquay on our doorsteps, Mid-Cornwall is surely the jewel in the crown of tourism in Cornwall.”
“As chair of the UK Hospitality All Party Parliamentary Group I am keen to highlight and campaign on the issues that affect our tourism industry all year round and was pleased to have the opportunity to do so this week.”
Commenting, Tourism Minister, Michael Ellis said:
“Tourism contributes hugely to our national economy. It is good for business, good for jobs and good for our local communities.
"English Tourism Week is a chance for us to celebrate the success of this industry and promote the superb range of destinations and attractions across the country.”
Tourism is one of England’s largest and most valuable industries. English tourism directly employ more than 2.6m people and generate over £106 billion a year for the British economy. English destinations are also a huge draw for overseas visits – in the first nine months of 2019 there were a record 11.9 million visits to English regions outside London. International visitors spent £5.7 billion across England’s regions during this period.
Domestic tourism in England is also driving growth and supporting jobs. In the first 11 months of 2018 there were 42.7 million domestic holiday trips in England, with these holidaymakers spending £10.4 billion in the same period.