Witney News - Top level support for local tourism industry

Witney - A view from Church Green

Advertisements

Top level support for local tourism industry

Top level support for local tourism industry Tourism in the Cotswolds could play a greater part in boosting the country’s economy. That was the message given by the Prime Minister at a networking event held recently in Witney.

The Rt Hon David Cameron MP for Witney stressed the importance of tourism to West Oxfordshire when he met with top level tourist industry leaders and local organisations and businesses as part of English Tourism Week (March 10-18).

David Cameron spoke about his passion for the tourism industry and, as the country’s third largest export, its importance to driving the economy. He acknowledged the work people were doing promoting the industry, but felt there was potential to do much more. He said, “London, is obviously a massive tourism hotspot, but I think we have enormous untapped reservoirs in terms of the potential we have in our country, particularly right here in the Cotswolds where we welcome a lot of tourists, but could welcome a huge amount more.”

David Cameron commented after the event, “I was delighted to attend the English Tourism Week event held in my West Oxfordshire constituency.”

The networking event, held at the Oxford Witney Four Pillars Hotel on Friday 16 March, gave the industry an opportunity to examine the value of tourism to the nation as well as demonstrating its role in promoting the Oxfordshire Cotswolds to tourists and visitors.

Among those attending the event were Lady Penelope Viscountess Cobham, Chairman of Visit England and David Curtis-Brignell, Chairman of English Tourism Week.

Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister, Lady Cobham and David Curtis-Brignell to the district as part of English Tourism Week. All of the businesses and organisations represented here have played a big part in ensuring that the Oxfordshire Cotswolds remains a top holiday destination in England. By bringing them together and sharing ideas it can only boost the industry further.”

Photograph of Rt Hon David Cameron MP with Lady Penelope Cobham and David Curtis-Brignell.

The event also saw the Prime Minister present Charles Holmes, CEO of the Four Pillars Hotel Group, based in Witney, with their Silver Green Tourism Business Award accreditation across the whole group of hotels.

West Oxfordshire’s visitor trade has bucked the national trend for growth with latest figures showing that it generates over £255m to the economy and has consistently grown in the district over the past decade.

English Tourism Week was also celebrated in West Oxfordshire with a series of free guided town walks across the district to urge residents to visit some of the local hotspots on their doorstep, which saw nearly 100 people take part.

The District Council works closely with local businesses to promote the area as a tourism destination.

This includes producing visitor guides, promotional material and marketing the area as the ‘Oxfordshire Cotswolds’ through the www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org website.

Posted : 21/03/2012 17:27:58

Other recent Witney news items posted on the Witney website


Ultrafast broadband delivered to more than 10,000 properties in the District

More than 10,000 rural homes and businesses in West Oxfordshire now have access to ultrafast full-fibre internet, providing them with some of the fastest broadband speeds in the world. This milesto...


Residents and businesses urged to be patient as Covid-19 test centre is built in Witney

An NHS Covid-19 testing centre is to be built in Witney to improve support for residents. The building will be situated in the Woodford Way car park and is expected to remain for at least three mon...


Oxfordshire close to 'high' COVID-19 alert level

Residents are being advised to be extra vigilant, particularly over half-term, as cases of coronavirus continue to spread across the county. Evidence shows that, in the past two weeks, the virus ha...


West Oxfordshire Gym Data Reveals the Numbers of Locals that Returned to the Gym after lockdown

Better, the largest operator of municipal leisure facilities in the UK releases gym usage data since reopening: West Oxfordshire has seen a total of 20537 visits to their local gyms 26-34-year old...


View the full Witney Blog