PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Tourism: Rural Areas (10 October 2024)

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to help increase tourism in rural constituencies where (a) small businesses and (b) cultural landmarks rely on visitors.

Asked by:
Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat)

Yes, the Government wants to grow tourism across all parts of the country and recognises the importance of tourism to rural constituencies.

DCMS works with VisitBritain/VisitEngland to champion visits to the British countryside to a worldwide audience, and promoting rural areas such as the South Downs, Northumberland, Pembrokeshire and the Yorkshire Dales. DCMS, through VisitEngland, has also accredited 33 Local Visitor Economy Partnerships so far; which aims to drive investment and spend across the regions - including in rural and coastal areas.

Regarding cultural landmarks, DCMS will continue to work collaboratively across government departments and with the sector to support marketing campaigns that attract more visitors to heritage sites and cultural destinations across the regions to stimulate inbound demand.

Answered by:
Chris Bryant (Labour)
21 October 2024