Tourism ‘important engine’ of local economy, says Culture Secretary
She responded to concerns following Visit Cornwall’s liquidation
The Secretary of State for Culture has highlighted the importance of the tourism industry for Cornwall and other seaside counties.
It comes after Cornwall's tourism board went into voluntary liquidation in October.
According to Visit Cornwall, the move had to be made due to exceptional financial hardship.
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Our tourism industry is a major plank of our UK economy and I'm acutely aware that for some parts of the country, not just Devon and Cornwall, but many of our seaside and coastal towns as well, it's a really important engine of the local economy.
“We've been working across the board through our tourism strategy to help to increase visitor numbers, to help to support and sustain industry. And we're doing that with the full support of every department across government who understands the value that tourism brings to the UK.
“It doesn't just bring in economic value in its own right, it also helps to sustain a lot of our shops and pubs and hospitality industry and we've been really pleased to be able to attract major investment into the UK in areas like the Universal Theme Park in Bedfordshire, which we were able to announce recently, which is one of the biggest inward investment projects into the UK in recent years.”
“But there is more that we will do. We've got a forthcoming budget and the Chancellor has made no secret of her desire to do more to support high streets. It's building on the work that we've already done. So, we're working across government in order to support what is a thriving and important industry and will remain one for many years to come.”
Following the liquidation announcement, the Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions and Cornwall Council both stressed that they would remain committed to supporting the county's tourism sector.