Henry Smith MP joined Visit Britain to shine a spotlight on the country’s tourism industry in a week devoted to travel and exploration during English Tourism Week (17th to 25th March 2018).

Now in its seventh year, English Tourism Week raises the profile and showcases the benefits of the tourism industry to local communities and the economy.

Henry said;

“It was good to meet with Visit Britain representatives in Parliament during English Tourism Week and find out more about VisitEngland’s work to explore our country.

“I’d urge people arriving at Gatwick Airport who may look to visit London or Brighton to stay in Crawley and see what West Sussex has to offer.”

This year the spring equinox falls during English Tourism Week and VisitEngland is asking people to share their favourite spring moments using #Springland, #ETW18 and #VisitEngland.

Latest VisitEngland statistics show that from January to November 2017 Britons took more than 44 million domestic holidays in England, spending more than £10 billion, up five and six per cent respectively compared to the same period in 2016.

Overseas visits to the UK are forecast to break through the 40 million mark for the first time in 2018, reaching 41.7 million. Spending by overseas visitors to the UK is forecast to reach £26.9 billion this year.

VisitBritain’s ‘I Travel For...’ campaign is part of the UK Government’s GREAT Britain campaign, which promotes the UK internationally as a place to visit, study, invest and do business.

Tourism is worth £127 billion to the UK economy, creating jobs and boosting economic growth across its nations and regions.