South West tourism bodies welcome £5m government investment
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Tourism authority Visit Devon has broadly welcomed the announcement of a £5 million investment designed to boost international tourism in the southwest of England.
While official figures for 2014 are yet to be released, Devon saw a 39% increase in international visitors in 2013.
![Croyde Bay Ruda Holiday Park Devon.](https://traveldailymedia.com/assets/2015/02/Croyde-Bay-Ruda-Holiday-Park-Devon.-300x275.jpg)
Visit Devon Chair Carolyn Custerson said she was “delighted” at the news.
“Across the South West we have been lobbying to secure more support for the South West Tourism Industry following the award of £10m to the North and we are relieved that our voices have been heard,” she said. “After London the South West is the most popular destination for overseas visitors but we no longer have the budgets to target international markets. With significant international visitor growth forecast this new government fund could not be coming at a better time and will give us all an exciting opportunity to work together across the South West to achieve further international tourism growth.”
Visit England will administer the funding on behalf of the government, using the money to back initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the South West of England as a tourist destination in Europe and beyond. Money will be allocated for marketing activities, travel itineraries and to promote the transport links between Bristol, Exeter and Newquay. There will also be a focus on business development, with smaller businesses getting help to make their products and services relevant to international audiences.
According to Amanda Lumley, chief executive of Destination Plymouth, 14% of the Devon population depend on tourism for employment, “so it’s vital we do everything in our power to bring visitors to the region”.
“This year both Rugby World Cup 2015 and Agatha Christie’s 125th Anniversary – which will be celebrated at the International Agatha Christie Festival in September – will both do much for worldwide awareness of Devon but we need to be thinking ahead too and marking international events, such as Mayflower 400 in 2020 – the 400th anniversary of the sailing to America by the Pilgrim Fathers – on the World stage.”
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