Press release 17 July 2015
VISITWILTSHIRE WELCOMES PRIME MINISTER’S COMMITMENT TO GROW TOURISM IN THE SOUTH WEST
17 June 2015
VisitWiltshire’s Chairman, Peter Wragg, has welcomed the government’s commitment to grow tourism in the South West at a tourism meeting with the Prime Minister today.
The Government has announced a new 5 point plan to boost tourism across the UK – spreading the benefits of one of the country’s fastest growing sectors beyond London.
The Prime Minister’s new tourism plan will include setting up a new inter-ministerial group to coordinate activity across government and will focus on 5 key areas:
1. A better co-ordinated sector: Greater collaboration between local attractions and tourism organisations to grow the sector for everyone
2. Skills and jobs: Driving and retaining talent in the sector to encourage growth
3. Common sense regulation: Reforming regulation sensibly to drive competition and improve the tourism offer for visitors
4. Transport: Forging innovative links between the transport and tourism sectors to help visitors travel outside of the capital
5. An improved welcome: Delivering a world class welcome at the Border
It also includes the £5m South West Tourism Growth Fund for tourism investment which was announced by Government earlier this year, to grow tourism, deliver economic growth and boost export earnings in the South West of England.
VisitWiltshire’s Chairman, Peter Wragg, said, “We are pleased to hear the government are supporting the industry with a new tourism plan, and delighted this includes encouraging VisitBritain to promote destinations outside London.
“We look forward to working with other SW destinations to benefit from the SW Tourism Growth Fund to support the existing work being undertaken by VisitWiltshire to ensure visitors stay and spend in the county.
“We also welcome the government’s recommendation tasking VistiEngland to work in closer partnership with VisitWiltshire and other South West destinations.”
VisitEngland’s Chief Executive, James Berresford, said: “The commitment by the Prime Minister today to grow tourism across the UK is further recognition of the enormous value and contribution of this industry, one of the decade’s biggest drivers of economic growth. Placing tourism at the heart of Government will do much to support plans to rebalance the economy. We will work closely with the new inter-ministerial group and our partners across the country to deliver on these commitments and drive growth across the regions by showcasing and developing the standout product on offer in this country to key domestic and international markets, improving connectivity, ensuring England remains globally competitive and providing world-class experiences for all visitors.”
During his visit to the South West today the Prime Minister, David Cameron, said, "For many areas tourism is a key industry bringing jobs, growth and security for working people. Tourism supports almost one in 10 jobs in the UK and we want to rebalance the economy to make sure this boost is felt right across the country.”
VisitWiltshire is the official Tourist Board for Wiltshire. It is a private sector membership organisation representing over 600 partners. VisitWiltshire's priority is to grow the county's Visitor Economy by raising awareness of the destination and generating additional tourism visits and spend. Wiltshire's Visitor Economy currently generates an estimated £1.5billion and supports over 28,000 jobs.
For further information or to arrange a press visit contact Florence Wallace, PR Manager, flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk or tel. 01722 341309 or 07436 588860