Evesham’s MP Nigel Huddleston writes for the Observer…
THIS week has been English Tourism Week and in my capacity as tourism minister I have been busy promoting one of our largest and most successful industry sectors.
Just before the pandemic, tourism in England alone generated over £100bn a year and sustained over 3 million jobs. It is vitally important we get the sector thriving once again, and so I’ve been focused on the recovery of our domestic and inbound tourism sectors, engaging with stakeholders, and promoting our amazing heritage and the many impressive visitor attractions we have in the UK.
Several of them are right here in Worcestershire, ready and waiting to welcome you back. There’s the Broadway Tower, the Avoncroft Museum, Harvington Hall, The Swan Theatre, Droitwich Spa Lido, Evesham Almonry, and much more. This is on top, of course, of having some of the best pubs and scenery you will find in the country – or indeed the world.
I know Ukraine weighs heavily on all our minds. The unjust and brutal invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin must fail. Our heart goes out to our Ukrainian friends whenever we turn on the TV or open a newspaper or website and see the scenes of horror.
In my role as sports minister I have been actively engaged with other sports ministers from around the world to ensure that sports are able to stand against Putin – resulting in many global sporting boycotts of Russian and Belarus teams. Here at home the government has applied sanctions to Roman Abramovic, unfortunately meaning that Chelsea Football Club can now only operate under a special licence. No government wants to impact sport in this way, but it is necessary as we stand together as a country in support of Ukraine.
I also want to take the opportunity to thank communities and individuals across Worcestershire who have registered as potential hosts under the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, which went live last week. Many others have donated money, goods or participated in fundraising events. It is clear to me that our local communities have yet again stepped up in a magnificent way.
