Sir Roger Gale
Member of Parliament for Herne Bay and Sandwich (including West Thanet)
Gale joins Tourism Minister to celebrate tourism in North Thanet
April 3rd 2019
North Thanet`s MP, Sir Roger Gale, MP 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.
Sir Roger, joined Tourism Minister Michael Ellis MP for a drop-in session on 2nd April to celebrate English Tourism Week and to meet with representatives of the national tourist board VisitBritain/VisitEngland, 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/VisitEngland 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.
Sir Roger has said:
“Tourism makes a hugely important contribution to the economy and to employment throughout East Kent. In North Thanet we are blessed with a significant number of nationally renowned attractions which, together with the natural environment of the coastline and inland rural villages makes Herne Bay, Margate and the surrounding area the ideal destination for day trips, short breaks and longer holidays”
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. Domestic tourism in (insert region) was worth (insert domestic spend) to the local economy in 2017 with (insert domestic visits) traveling to the region in this same period.