"WISH YOU WERE HERE GORDON" - HARVEY
March 27, 2009 10:04 AM
To highlight British Tourism Week (23rd - 29th March), local MP Nick Harvey has called on the Prime Minister Gordon Brown to do more to promote regional tourism across the South West, perhaps even by taking a holiday in North Devon this year.
Nick Harvey presents a North Devon postcard to 10 Downing Street
As he presented a postcard of one of many North Devon attractions to 10 Downing Street, Nick Harvey MP said:
"British tourism can thrive only if the Government is prepared to invest in the industry and adopt a sound marketing strategy to publicise Britain's many attractions."
"Yet Visit Britain, the body responsible for marketing Britain as a tourist destination abroad has seen its funding drastically cut by over £15 million between 2003 and 2010."
"The Pound's historic exchange rate low should be bringing flocks of foreign tourists to Britain because their currency will now go so much further. At the same time it should also be persuading more and more of our fellow countrymen to holiday in the UK. However, it is staggering that the Government is refusing to commit more funding to publicise all that Britain has to offer."
"It's all very well for me to promote places in my own constituency, but it takes increased government support to encourage people to come to, or stay in, Britain in the first place."
"A little spent advertising the benefits of 'Buying British' when it comes to tourism could safeguard thousands of jobs, create new ones, and result in a net gain to the British economy. Reversing the funding cuts to Visit Britain and taking steps such as reducing VAT on accommodation and entrance to tourist attractions could provide us with a positive route out of this recession."
Lib Dem MPs highlight the importance of tourism for local economies
FURTHER INFORMATION
Nick is using Tourism Week as an opportunity to promote tourism in North Devon and to raise national and international awareness of the size, value and importance of Britain's £86 billion visitor economy.
Nick presented Gordon Brown with a postcard inviting the Prime Minister to pay a visit to one of North Devon's charming West Country villages, picturesque ports, or scenic seaside resorts.
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