Welcome to Yorkshire’s big tests over recovery plan – The Yorkshire Post says

WELCOME TO Yorkshire finds itself in an invidious position as it attempts to pull together a post-Covid tourism strategy without knowing when visitor attractions will be allowed by the Government to reopen for business. These really are uncertain times.
Welcome to Yorkshire is launching a post-Covid tourism plan. Photo: VisitBritain.Welcome to Yorkshire is launching a post-Covid tourism plan. Photo: VisitBritain.
Welcome to Yorkshire is launching a post-Covid tourism plan. Photo: VisitBritain.

Yet, as it begins to play catch-up with rival regions, the tourism body clearly continues to find itself hindered, at this most crucial time, by the financial fallout from its previous regime under Sir Gary Verity.

However the strategy’s clear emphasis on grassroots tourism is an important one which does represent the significant change in modus operandi that this newspaper, and others, have long demanded for a sector worth a priceless £9bn to the county’s wider economy.

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But WTY’s tests are two-fold if it is to provide value to its members. First, it is ensuring that tourism firms, large and small, have the support and expertise they need to survive immediate business challenges and ensure that they can still provide the warmest of welcome to visitors. The challenge will be catering for all those who want to venture out into the great outdoors while conforming to protocols on social distancing.

James Mason is the chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire.James Mason is the chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire.
James Mason is the chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire.

Second, it is responding to global trends – many families are likely to be reluctant to travel overseas for many months and years to come – so that Yorkshire retains its pre-eminence as the place to go on holiday in Great Britain. On this, WTY is going to have to be far more strategic and demonstrate that it has the expertise, and vision, to promote the county in new and innovative ways. It has made a start with this plan but it’s just that – a start.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

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And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

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