Local MP Alan Mak has backed Havant and Hayling Island as visitor destinations as part of English Tourism Week.
The weeklong national event raises the profile and showcases the benefits of the tourism industry to local communities and the economy.
The tourist industry is worth over £160 million to the Havant and Hayling area a year, with the local tourist board hoping to increase these figures by encouraging more staying visitors to Hayling and Emsworth.
Alan said: “Hayling Island has long history as a tourist destination, and businesses like The Langstone Hotel highlight how the tourism sector is contributing to our economy. Businesses like this hotel and the many other tourist attractions across the area show that our local economy is strong and I'm delighted firms in this area are expanding and creating employment.”
It comes after Senior Treasury Minister Mel Stride praised the role of tourism in boosting both the local and national economy following a visit to The Langstone Hotel.
After the visit he said: “I was delighted that Alan invited me to Hayling and it was excellent to hear how the tourism industry is creating jobs for local people on Hayling Island, as well as boosting growth. The Government is backing businesses like the Langstone Hotel that power our economy.”
Tourism is one of England’s largest industries, directly supporting more than 2.6m jobs and generates over £106 billion a year for the English economy. In the first nine months of 2017 there were a record 12.7 million visits to English regions outside London, up 4% compared to the same period in 2016. International visitors spent £6.1 billion across England’s regions during this period.
Latest VisitEngland statistics show that from January to November 2017 Brits took more than 44 million domestic holidays in England, spending more than £10 billion, up five and six per cent respectively compared to the same period in 2016.
Visit England Director, Andrew Stokes said: “English Tourism Week is all about celebrating the value and quality of tourism in England, and there are many great reasons to explore what’s on your doorstep.
“The range of activities from our quiet and cosy countryside to our roaring and vibrant cities gives our nation a rare flare you would struggle to find elsewhere in the world. And all steeped in our rich and wonderful heritage. The whole industry comes together during English Tourism Week to showcase the variety of tourism products across the country.”
This year the spring equinox falls during English Tourism Week and Visit England is asking people to share their favourite spring moments using #Springland, #ETW18 and #VisitEngland.
To promote tourism during the week Visit England has created an events website for people to find out about, and book, activities with many offering discounts and incentives to encourage visitors. Visit visitengland.com/english-tourism-week for more information.
Picture: Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride, Alan Mak MP and Langstone Hotel General Manager Clint Marsh