THE Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is set to benefit from a £5million government fund to boost its tourism.
Members of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association (WVFDTA) met with the Prime Minister, David Cameron, at a manifesto launch to hear about his £5million South West Tourism Growth Fund pledge.
Mr Cameron also announced a new five-point plan to boost tourism across the UK.
The plan includes the set-up of a new inter-ministerial group to coordinate activity across government and will focus on five key areas:
• A better co-ordinated sector: greater collaboration between local attractions and tourism organisations to grow the sector for everyone.
• Skills and jobs: driving and retaining talent in the sector to encourage growth.
• Common sense regulation: reforming regulation sensibly to drive competition and improve the tourism offer for visitors.
• Transport: forging innovative links between the transport and tourism sectors to help visitors travel outside of the capital.
• An improved welcome: delivering a world-class welcome at the border.
The fund was announced by the government in March to grow tourism, deliver economic growth and boost export earnings in the South West of England.
Chairman of the WVFDTA, Ian Officer said: "We're pleased that the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley can access the South West Tourism Growth Fund, working shoulder-to-shoulder with other south west destinations and VisitEngland.
"It good to see that the plan encourages VisitBritain to promote destinations outside London. We are doing everything we can to maximise this funding to invest in more activity within the UK, and with partners to attract more overseas visitors. It bodes well for our region that the Prime Minister invited our executive director, Maureen McAllister and board member, Paul Williamson, to attend the launch."