Tourism businesses affected by the floods will receive support from a GBP2 million government support fund, Culture Secretary Maria Miller has announced.
Help, advice and a marketing campaign have been put together following an emergency meeting between Minster for Tourism Helen Grant and tourism chiefs.
‘Expert’ help will be provided on the ground to give advice and support to B&Bs, hotels and local attractions to communicate with customers online; give advice on business support measures and provide marketing tips.
“We want to help all those tourism businesses that have been affected by the horrendous floods get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” said Miller.
Advice sessions will be hosted by VisitEngland throughout March and the tourism authority will also launch a marketing campaign promoting the affected areas to domestic holidaymakers and day-trippers ahead of the Easter period.
”We welcome this additional funding from Government to support the tourism industry. Our first priority is to ensure businesses have immediate support through an online toolkit and people on the ground to provide advice and guidance,” said VisitEngland’s chief executive James Berresford. “Perception is everything and a new marketing campaign launched in March will support our efforts to reassure visitors that England remains a beautiful and exciting destination to visit this spring and summer.”
VisitBritain is also planning a promotional campaign in the coming weeks to reassure overseas tourists that business is usual.
“This month we will launch a joint campaign with Brittany Ferries focused on the south west region, followed by delivering PR support to the flooded areas worth GBP10 million and bring forward a GBP1 million campaign to promote the countryside,” said VisitBritain’s chief Sandie Dawe.
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