Simon Fell, Conservative Spokesman for Barrow and Furness, has welcomed the launch of the new Tourism Sector Deal, which will benefit the 455 tourism-related businesses based in Barrow and Furness.
The tourism, hospitality and experience industries play a vital role in boosting our local economy in Barrow and Furness. These businesses will now be able to access a new tourism data hub, enabling them to offer an even better service for their visitors.
The Deal – part of the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy – will help deliver 10,000 new apprenticeships, getting more people involved with the sector and ensuring it continues to go from strength to strength in the future.
The tourism sector is worth £68 billion every year to the UK economy, and employs 1.6 million people across the country. As we leave the EU, we are determined to support the industry and help it to grow. By 2025, there will be 9 million additional visits from people overseas to the UK.
Under the new deal, more than 10,000 people who work in the tourism industry will also benefit from new mentorship schemes, while we’re providing a further £250,000 to improve broadband connectivity in a number of conference centres across the country.
Commenting, Simon Fell said:
“Tourism is a hugely important to Barrow and Furness, and I am delighted that the 445 tourism-related businesses here will now be able to receive additional support, through our modern Industrial Strategy.
“I hope that they are able to use the opportunities of the Sector Deal to attract even more people to the local area, boosting their businesses and creating more jobs. Barrow and Furness is a fantastic, diverse place with outstanding museums, historic attractions and wildlife – the more people we can let know about the hidden gem of Cumbria, the better.
“I’m proud that so many people want to visit Barrow and Furness every year, and hope that this deal will help us see even higher visitor numbers.”
