By William Coleman
Shrewsbury based Salop Leisure are in full swing as they celebrate English Tourism Week, which is from 17th-25th of March. To show his support Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski, as well as country councillors, paid a visit to the leding Shropshire caravan dealership.
There will be a series of events held through the week at Salop Leisure to showcase visitor experiences in England. There will also be holiday highlights that have been a major contributor towards England economy.
Visit England have said that the tourism sector reaches everyone- visitors, residents, businesses and employees: “Tourism in Shropshire is one of the main income generators,” said Mr Kawczynski during his visit to Salop Leisure’s headquarters at Emstrey, Shrewsbury. “Businesses like Salop Leisure who are tapping into tourism generate a huge amount of jobs and prosperity for our county.
“More and more people want to visit the wonders of Shropshire and experience our magnificent countryside. Given the rate of the pound, we have seen record numbers of tourists coming to the UK and I can only see that continuing to expand. I am delighted to support Salop Leisure who have done so much to put Shrewsbury on the map.”
When visitors arrive at Shrewsbury one of the first things they see in the railway station which Mr. Kawczynski has announced recent investments will go towards upgrading the station which will start in June.
Councillor Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “Tourism for Shropshire is immensely important. Shrewsbury and Shropshire have a huge amount to offer tourists and the more we can do to promote it, the better.”
Tony Bywater, Salop Leisure’s chairman, said: “English Tourism Week celebrates the contribution of the tourism industry, in all its forms, to our local and national economies, to job creation, the environment and our local community.
“Since 2010, tourism has been the fastest growing sector in the UK in employment terms. Britain is forecast to have a tourism industry worth more than £257 billion by 2025.
“I think the tourism industry is going to enjoy its best ever year in 2018. After one of the worst winters for a number of years, I am hoping for a gorgeous, hot summer and Shrewsbury, Shropshire and the Heart of England have so much to offer to people who want to get away on holiday.”. Some very encouraging words indeed.
Tourism is such a massive part of British culture which is the third largest employer in England. On a daily basis there are 2.6 million jobs supported by the tourism sector and is a huge employer of school leavers and youngsters.
Each year the UK economy receives and estimated £106 billion from tourism which helps support thousands of families run businesses. There is also a huge financial impact on the supplier industries such as farming, transport, retailing, sport, museums and galleries. One of the things that makes London so popular, aside from the Queen, is the theatres and performing arts of the West End which draws visitors from all over the world.
