Local Member of Parliament, Charlie Dewhirst, has championed local tourism and hospitality in Bridlington and The Wolds in support of English Tourism Week.
English Tourism Week took place from 13-22 March this year and is an annual celebration of all that England has to offer domestic and international tourists. Tourism is one of our largest and most valuable industries, contributing over £127 billion each year to the English economy and supporting over 2 million jobs in everything from hotels and youth hostels, to zoos and amusement parks, stately homes and festivals. The broader hospitality sector which also includes pubs, bars and restaurants, sustains well over 3 million jobs.
According to respected industry body, UK Hospitality, there are more than 1,196 tourism and hospitality businesses operating in the Bridlington and The Wolds constituency, employing over 4,529 people and adding £326.2 million to the local economy.
But the industry has faced challenges since the pandemic and is under significant pressure because of Labour’s National Insurance and Business Rates increases which have disproportionately and negatively impacted the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors. Since Labour’s first budget over 100,000 jobs have been lost in these sectors.
Charlie Dewhirst MP said: “I welcome the opportunity this English Tourism Week to shine a light on the over 1,196 fantastic tourism and hospitality businesses here in our constituency, employing over 4,500 people and bringing in over £300 million a year – so I was delighted to pop down to Bridlington seafront, where tourists will soon be flocking, and show them my support.
“Tourism brings joy to millions of people each year whether on day trips or on longer holidays. But times are tough for many businesses in the tourism sector and Labour’s tax policies have increased costs and reduced job opportunities – particularly for young people. The number of young people claiming unemployment benefits in our constituency is shockingly up almost 20% since the General Election, and I demanded answers from the Minister in Parliament on this this week.
“I back business – including tourism and that is why we have already committed that the next Conservative government would provide 100% business rates relief for most retail, hospitality and leisure businesses which includes tourism businesses.”
Charlie Dewhirst MP is here to help you all year round, and you can contact him atcharlie.dewhirst.mp@parliament.uk.
