THE MP for Barrow has taken part in the first ever ‘virtual’ English Tourism Week.

Simon Fell got involved in the event which shows support for the industry and highlights its importance to the local economy.

VisitEngland has this year asked MPs to record video messages for use on their social media channels.

For this year’s virtual event, being held from May 25-31, VisitEngland and local destinations are asking MPs, local authorities, the UK Government and other stakeholders to shine the spotlight on the importance of tourism to the local, regional and national economy and pledge their support to the sector’s recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.

“English Tourism Week is all about highlighting the economic benefits that tourism brings to local economies, celebrating our diverse and exciting sector,” said Andrew Stokes, VisitEngland director.

“While we cannot run events as usual this year, the spirit of the week has never been more important. Tourism has been one of the first and hardest hit economic sectors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s virtual week is dedicated to showing support for the industry, the millions of people who work in it and the hundreds of thousands of businesses impacted.

“It is also about looking towards the future recovery and doing everything we can right now to ensure that tourism can bounce back to once again become one of the most successful and vibrant sectors of the economy.”

Mr Fell said: “While we are taking the unprecedented steps to ask people to stay away from our area of outstanding natural beauty right now, we are ready and waiting to invite guests and visitors back to Furness once lock down measures are lifted. We have so much on offer here – from the traditional market squares of Broughton, Ulverston and Dalton to the glorious and tranquil walks in and around Seathwaite and Ulpha. Piel, Walney and Roa are islands of nature and history. And we have gorgeous beaches on Walney, Roanhead and Askam.

"We’ll be delighted to welcome visitors back, as coronavirus restrictions ease.

"As we begin embarking upon the road to recovery, our tourism industry, which added £10 million to our local economy between 2016 and 2018, will play a crucial role in helping Barrow and Furness’ economy to bounce back.

"That is why I’ll be working together with local councils and organisations to arrange a tourism summit once the Government’s guidelines permit, so that we can begin promoting the Furness peninsula once again and all that it has to offer.”

VisitEngland is administering a £1.3m emergency fund to support local tourism organisations throughout the coronavirus outbreak. Under the scheme, destinations will be able to receive up to £2,500 per month for two members of non-furloughed staff who provide crucial business support services and up to £5,000 to cover operating costs.

Tourism is one of England’s largest and most valuable industries, supporting hundreds of thousands of businesses, employing more than 2.6 million people and generating more than £106 billion a year for the English economy. Between 2016 and 2018 Barrow and Furness welcome on average 224 overnight trips per year, contributing £5 million per year to the local economy.

VisitEngland has this year asked MPs to record video messages for use on their social media channels during English Tourism Week, pledging their support for tourism and highlighting the sector’s economic importance to their local economies.

On Thursday May 28, as part of English Tourism Week, VisitEngland also asked MPs to share photos and social media posts from previous English Tourism Weeks or from their favourite English holiday destinations using the hashtags #ThrowbackThursday and #EnglishTourismWeek20.