English Tourism Week 2020 Review

Last week marked an annual English Tourism Week like no other. Amidst the Covid-19 global pandemic we saw tourism businesses and organisations across the country come together to champion our industry in the first "virtual" English Tourism Week, from 25 to 31 May.

This celebration came shortly after NCTA Director Samantha Richardson provided oral evidence to the Government’s DCMS Select Inquiry into the impact of Covid-19, asked to represent coastal tourism alongside representatives from VisitBritain, the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, National Trust and the British Holiday and Home Parks Association. In this session we made the importance of coastal tourism to our economy clear, and also the Government support that’s needed to help the sector recover in the wake of this pandemic.

To see a summary of our oral evidence on the impact of Covid-19, the supporting data and our recommendations to Goverment, click here.

Why is tourism important to England?

  • Coastal Tourism spend in England is valued at £13.7bn, and across Great Britain £17.1bn
  • International visitors comprise 12% of overnight visits but 37.6% of overnight spend
  • Across England tourism directly employs more than 2.6m people and generates more than £106 billion a year to the British economy.
  • English destinations are also a huge draw for overseas visits – in the first nine months of 2019 there were a record 12.6 million visits to English regions outside London. International visitors spent £6.25 billion across England’s regions during this period.
  • Domestic tourism in England is also driving growth and supporting jobs. In the first 11 months of 2019 there were 43 million domestic holiday trips in England, with these holidaymakers spending more than £10 billion in the same period
  • Tourism delivers economic growth in every city, local authority, and region, benefitting local communities and the wider economy
  • Making up 80% of the UK’s visitor economy, English tourism generates £106 billion a year and supports 2.6 million jobs

Why should you visit England's Coast?

We have one of the most stunning and diverse coastlines of anywhere in the world! If you need inspiration, visit the England's Coast website where we've split the coastline into eight regions – discover what makes each part unique through their history and culture, watch the highlights in panoramic videos and research the best places to sleep and eat.

When hospitality businesses open their doors again, why not watch the sun rise at Southwold Pier on the East coast? Eat fish'n'chips overlooking a harbour in the South West, delve into the remnants of smuggling histories on the South Coast, stroll past dramatic castles on the beach in Northumberland. Make plans to spot seals and rare birds in Yorkshire, embrace art and culture in the South East, see the stunning Cumbrian coast in the North West or visit the Durham Heritage Coastline on the North West Coast.

When the time’s right, coastal tourism businesses will be very pleased to see you.