Photo – Alan Mak MP welcomes Funland owner Marshall Hill to Parliament
Havant MP Alan Mak has hailed Marshall Hill, a Hayling resident and co-owner of Funland Amusement Park on Hayling Island, as an “industry leader that the whole constituency can be proud of”. Hill is starting his second year as Chairman for the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA), the influential industry body.
Mak welcomed Hill to Parliament for BALPPA’s Annual Reception with Parliamentarians. Mr Mak said that he was pleased to see Hayling and Havant represented at the highest level of this national association. In the wake of English Tourism Week, the Havant MP was keen to promote the tourism and visitor industries in his constituency.
Havant Borough attracts thousands of tourists every year, of which the majority are day visitors. The tourist industry is worth over £160 million to Havant per annum, with the local tourist board hoping to increase these figures by encouraging more staying visitors to Havant.
Following the lunch, Alan Mak said: “Marshall Hill is an industry leader that the whole constituency can be proud of. I was delighted to welcome him to Parliament, and enjoyed discussing the strong performance and future potential of tourism in Hayling and around Havant. To have an industry leader like Marshall supporting our coastal economy and leisure parks is a real bonus for the local area.”
The Havant MP added: “Our tourist economy is faring better than ever. Havant boasts a wealth of excellent hotels and guesthouses, key attractions such as Funland Amusement Park on Hayling Island, and includes area of outstanding natural beauty.”
Mr Hill said: “I was delighted to join Alan today to discuss how we are going to secure more visitors to Havant and help an already-buoyant tourism industry grow further. At Funland on Hayling Island, we are always looking at ways to attract new visitors and we are expecting another busy summer season.”
Mr Hill added: “As Chairman of the BALPPA, I am keen to champion Hayling and Havant as a great place to visit. Our tourism and related industries are so important to the local community and economy, and I am doing all I can to make sure that we have the facilities and impeccable standards to take a lead in this competitive nationwide industry.”