Witney News - MP supports tourism industry in West Oxfordshire

MP supports tourism industry in West Oxfordshire

Witney MP, the Rt Hon David Cameron, met with owners of bed and breakfasts, hotels and other tourism accommodation in West Oxfordshire at an open afternoon on Friday, 3rd April, at Caswell House, Brize Norton.

The open afternoon is part of national British Tourism Week and the event was organised by West Oxfordshire District Council as part of its work to support and promote tourism.

Caswell House is part of a farm diversification project and won an award from Tourism South East in 2008 for being the best Self Catering Holiday Accommodation in South East England. It is a family-run business which provides self-catering and bed & breakfast accommodation within a 15th Century Manor House and working farm.

David Cameron congratulated the Matthews family, who own and run Caswell House, on their achievements. He said, "There is a great opportunity for tourism in West Oxfordshire as the district has so much going for it - we are very fortunate to have beautiful landscaping, a rich heritage and great leisure facilities. Congratulations to Tourism South East and West Oxfordshire District Council who do such a good job of promoting tourism."

Latest figures from Tourism South East, the official tourism board for South East England, show that tourism-related spending brought in £224.6 million to West Oxfordshire in 2007, with almost 3.7 million visitors to the district during that year. The District Council recognises the significant role that tourism plays and, as well as supporting the sector through investment in tourism services and development, operates Visitor Information Centres in Burford, Witney and Woodstock.

Cllr Hilary Biles, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Health and Tourism, said: “The open afternoon was a great opportunity for the people who run tourism businesses in West Oxfordshire to meet others and discuss the industry. I think it is very important, especially at a time of such economic uncertainty that business owners have the chance to tell their local MP first-hand what it is like to be part of tourism here in the district.”

There are 220 tourism accommodation establishments in West Oxfordshire, ranging from bed and breakfasts to hotels and camping and caravanning sites.

As part of British Tourism Week, the District Council organised a countywide ‘Explore Oxfordshire’ exhibition on Monday (March 23rd) to showcase the tourist attractions that are available in Oxfordshire. The event was a success, with over 40 attractions taking part and around 200 people attending.