Bath to benefit from Regional Growth Fund - Foster

Don Foster, MP for Bath, has welcomed the news that £19.8m from the Regional Growth Fund will be allocated to VisitEngland to help boost domestic tourism.

The funding injection announced by The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, will be used on a three-year project entitled, Growing Tourism Locally which has been designed to stimulate economic growth and employment locally.

The campaign will capitalise on next year’s once-in-a-generation events like The Diamond Jubilee, the Torch Relay, the Cultural Olympiad and the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Commenting, Don said:

“Given the importance of tourism to Bath, this additional funding to help promote domestic tourism, is extremely welcome.

“A key part of the project will be a campaign aimed at inspiring Britons to take more short breaks and holidays at home in places such as Bath.

Tourism Alliance Chairman, Brigid Simmonds OBE, stated:

“While many sectors of the UK economy are struggling, revenue generated by domestic tourism is growing at 13%. In approving the bid, the Government has recognised the strength of the UK tourism industry and that it has a central role in economic policy”.

ENDS