Local MP Sheryll Murray has welcomed the news that in addition to protecting funding in cash terms for VisitEngland and VisitBritain, the Chancellor has announced that there will be an extra £40 million to help visitors 'Discover England'. Furthermore, the GREAT campaign will continue, with an increase in funding to £60 million a year.
Last year, the tourism industry as a whole contributed almost £60billion to the economy and we enjoyed another record breaking year for international visits to our shores. As set out in the Prime Minister’s Five Point Plan for tourism, we not only want to ensure that this growth continues, but also that more of our towns and cities are benefitting from it.
Sheryll explained, “I have written to Tracey Crouch, the Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, to ask for more details on how this funding can be used to better promote Cornwall and asked what businesses can do locally to promote themselves through initiatives that use this new financing.
“This is a great opportunity for UK tourism and I want to see Cornwall being at the forefront. So many local jobs rely on the tourism sector and this provides a great opportunity to boost to our rural economy. Cornwall has a lot to offer tourists including beautiful scenery, outstanding culture and a lot of fun, all of which they can explore.”
The VisitEngland Board will be responsible for advising on how best to use the newly announced £40million ‘Discover England’ fund and to develop and implement an England-action plan.