Services threat to region's rural tourism

The Government has been warned that while rural tourism provides about £17bn a year to the English economy, limited transport connections, restrictions to broadband access and seasonal employment is damaging its growth.

Although England has seen a rise in tourism spend in the past year from both domestic and international visitors, figures published by Visit England show that in 2014 just 18 per cent of domestic overnight trips were taken to rural areas such as Yorkshire, down from 22 per cent in 2012.

The figures have prompted MPs to launch an inquiry into the role of tourism in supporting rural growth in England and they are calling for written evidence before September 6.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s probe will focus on how Government policies can encourage more people to visit rural England, for longer and at all times of the year; support farmers and rural residents to diversify into tourism; and ensure tourism growth is balanced with preserving the environment and the character of local communities.

Committee chairman Neil Parish MP said: “Tourism in rural areas creates job opportunities and supports the economic viability of communities.

“At a time in which volatile agricultural prices and depopulation threaten businesses and rural services, we are asking how effectively public programmes and Government policies support these areas to stay competitive in a global industry.

“We will also be asking how we can work to make the growth of countryside and coastal tourism sustainable, balancing economic, social and environmental interests”

Yorkshire’s stunning rural landscapes are a big draw and in total tourism is worth more than £7bn to the region’s economy.

Some 3.6 million people visited the Yorkshire Dales National Park last year alone, 300,000 more than in 2013, and there are plans to grow visitor numbers further.

Julie Barker, head of recreation, tourism and outreach at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said the authority was in talks with Visit England to draw up a funding bid to attract more overseas visitors to the park.

It is also trying to grow the park’s tourism economy by holding events – such as its Dark Skies festival – to draw visitors during the traditional low season.

Mrs Barker said: “Tourism is extremely important to the national park. It represents about a third of the economy.”

Charles Trotman, chief economist for the Country Land and Business Association in the North, said the challenge was to attract Londoners to venture into the countryside but he said “there doesn’t appear to be any coherent plan to make that work”.

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