Coordinated by VisitEngland and taking place from 22 to 31 May, English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the tourism industry, highlighting its economic importance to local economies and promoting the innovation, quality and range of products and services on offer to encourage more domestic breaks.
Visit Nottinghamshire, the official tourist board, is celebrating the occasion by highlighting seven themes considered key to Nottinghamshire’s tourism sector: Robin Hood, Caves, Civil War, Mayflower Pilgrims, Lace and Luddites, Literary Greats, and Food and Drink. The organisation aims to shine a spotlight on Nottinghamshire through this inspiring and informative campaign, encouraging tourists back to the region.
It comes as VisitEngland’s latest forecasts show that domestic tourism spending is estimated this year of £51.4 billion, just over half of the £91.6 billion in 2019. Last year alone saw about two-thirds of the value wiped off the domestic tourism industry, a £58 billion loss to the economy.
VisitEngland’s latest consumer sentiment research has shown slow but steady gains in consumer confidence in taking domestic trips from late spring and rising through summer. Twenty per cent of people surveyed were confident in the ability to take a domestic overnight trip in May, rising to 38% in June, 45% in July, 55% in August and 61% from September onwards. This demonstrates the importance of extending the tourism season this year and that there is still a job to do to boost consumer confidence.
More than 27,000 businesses across England have signed up to VisitEngland’s ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and consumer mark, reassuring customers, staff and local residents that the correct procedures and processes are in place to welcome them back safely. Visit Nottinghamshire have been working with local businesses to ensure a high uptake of the ‘We’re Good To Go’ accreditation locally in order to improve consumer confidence and encourage more overnight stays and day trips to the region.
According to the latest available figures (before COVID-19) Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s tourism sector had been worth over £1.9bn to the local economy, employing over 23,000 people. Nationally, tourism is one of England’s largest and most valuable industries, supporting hundreds of thousands of businesses, employing more than 2.6 million people and usually generating more than £106 billion a year for the English economy.
Lillian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South, said:
“As attractions begin to reopen in line with Government guidance, it’s a really exciting time for Nottingham, and now more than ever, the importance of tourism to our local economy cannot be overstated.
“Whether it’s the maze of dark-age caves under our streets, the Robin Hood tours, our fantastic independent shops, or the long-awaited opening of Nottingham Castle next month, Nottingham is a gold mine of tourism treasures.
“As part of English Tourism week, I hope people will feel able to safely support our local gems once again.”
Kinga Kapias, Marketing and Communications Manager at Visit Nottinghamshire, said:
“With tourism being one of the hardest hit sectors by COVID-19, there’s never been a better time to shine a spotlight on this wonderful industry. Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s visitor economy businesses have gone to extraordinary lengths to welcome visitors safely this year, with innovative installations and adaptations to ensure people can continue to explore and enjoy everything our region has to offer.
“This English Tourism Week, we’re delighted to showcase the best of Nottinghamshire’s heritage and culture through seven local themes: Robin Hood, Caves, Civil War, Mayflower Pilgrims, Lace and Luddites, Literary Greats, and Food and Drink, and you can discover all of this and more on our website, social media channels and of course at the fantastic Nottingham Tourism Centre just off Old Market Square. With a greater focus on staycations this year, English Tourism Week provides us with the opportunity to show off our wonderful region and bring tourists back to our green, legendary and creative destination, supporting the recovery of our valued visitor economy.”
Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said:
“The tourism sector has undoubtedly faced enormous challenges over the past year. This is why we have provided over £25 billion in support to date, including the unprecedented VAT cut.
“Tourism and hospitality businesses across the country have continually impressed me with their ability to adapt over the past year and I know they’re all ready to welcome us back.
“English tourism has so much to offer, from rural retreats to city breaks. I can’t wait to get out there exploring and I urge everyone to join me in supporting our fantastic tourism sector by taking a domestic holiday over the coming months.”
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:
“Our annual event to celebrate and champion English tourism has never been more important, providing a timely opportunity to show the outstanding offer here on our doorstep as we head in to the critical summer season and to support local businesses and visitor attractions, who have lost months of vital trading, as they reopen and rebuild.
“By highlighting the quality and sheer diversity of tourism products, destinations and experiences across England we also hope people will consider an extra holiday at home this year, exploring somewhere new, revisiting a favourite attraction or taking a city-break. With international tourists slower to return this is also the year to rediscover the crown jewels of English tourism in our vibrant city centres.
“Millions of jobs and local economies rely on tourism and businesses and destinations have been working flat-out, innovating and adapting to safely welcome visitors back and making sure they have a great experience. They will be very pleased to see you.”
Posted on 26 May 2021
