Tourism fears grow as funding cuts loom

Dec 13 2010 by David Black, The Journal

FAMILIES and businesses in Northumberland which rely heavily on tourism have major fears for their future if funding used to attract visitors comes to an end, a key conference will be told this week.

The protection of the multi-million pound visitor industry has become a top priority in the face of “dramatic” cuts to funding for tourism promotion work – which is estimated to attract nearly one in five of the county’s visitors.

The Journal revealed last month that visitor numbers have fallen markedly since the Government stopped One North East from using public money to promote the region nationally.

This week businesses and organisations will be asked to back a three-point action plan at the annual conference of Northumberland Tourism, to be held at Longhirst Hall near Morpeth on Wednesday.

The plan was drawn up at a meeting last month at Cragside near Rothbury, at which local stakeholders pledged to do everything possible to ensure the county continues to attract visitors and their spending power.

Yesterday fresh fears were voiced about the damaging impact on the industry if funding cuts for tourism promotion continue.

Ian Killie, who owns the Northumbrian House bed and breakfast in Berwick and is a member of the North Northumberland Tourism Association, said: “The number of people working in tourism here is as high as the Lake District, and more than double some surrounding districts.

“Tourism revenue is of critical importance to our towns and villages. Nineteen percent of the Berwick district’s employment and 17% of Alnwick’s is in tourism. The impact of a failing tourism sector in North Northumberland does not bear thinking about, and we are deeply concerned.”

The association is calling on the Government to understand the importance of tourism to the county, but in particular North Northumberland.