Tourism bosses fly Lancashire flag in Commons

TOURISM chiefs have been flying the flag for the county at Westminster as politicians and business influencers attended a House of Commons reception on the £20m Northern Tourism Growth Fund.
Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire with Paul Maynard MP for Blackpool North & Cleveleys and Philip Welsh Head of Visitor Economy at Blackpool CouncilRuth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire with Paul Maynard MP for Blackpool North & Cleveleys and Philip Welsh Head of Visitor Economy at Blackpool Council
Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire with Paul Maynard MP for Blackpool North & Cleveleys and Philip Welsh Head of Visitor Economy at Blackpool Council

The event was hosted by Visit England chairman Lady Cobham, on behalf of 38 Northern England Destinations and their business partners.

Invited guests heard from Minister for Tourism David Evennett, Paul Callaghan, chair of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, Sir Gary Verity, CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire and Paul Bayliss, chair of the Manchester Hotels Association, about the ambitious programme of capacity building, product development and trade engagement activities funded through the NTGF.

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Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire said: “The focus on business activities and partnerships made possible by the Northern Tourism Growth Fund has definitely raised the visibility of Northern England as a place to visit and this will have a positive impact on job growth and tourist expenditure.

“Working to our collective strengths, we have concentrated on the international growth markets of USA, Australia/NZ, China, Germany and Holland, with the support of our Visit Lancashire partners and tourism colleagues across the county we have been able to maximise the Northern Tourism Growth fund events and showcase Lancashire to a world audience.”

The Northern Tourism Growth Fund aims to deliver 3,000 more jobs and £177m incremental spend.

Blackpool North MP Paul Maynard, who was present at the event, said: “The Northern Tourism Growth Fund is a positive initiative that will enable attractions on the Fylde Coast, Lancashire and elsewhere to showcase the best of our region. We need to increase levels of tourism in the North and this fund helps to provide key expertise and training in ‘selling’ all that our area has to offer to visitors.”