Cash-strapped families caught up in the credit crunch are refusing to give up their holidays - which looks set to be good news for rural counties like Shropshire.
The strength of the Euro is putting many Britons off travel to old favourites like France, Spain and Greece, and the government’s tourism agency Visit Britain said the next 12 months promised to be a bumper time for holidays on home soil.
Shropshire Tourism, which promotes the county as a visitor attraction both in the UK and overseas, is working hard to benefit from the situation.
It is promoting the facts that Much Wenlock has been named one of the UK’s best villages, Church Stretton has been praised as a haven for walkers and the Ironbridge Gorge is celebrating its 300th anniversary.
Officials said the launch of the new direct rail link to Shropshire from London Marylebone should also encourage more visitors from the south of England.
Shropshire Tourism marketing officer Sarah Whittall said: “It’s hard for us to foresee what’s going to happen. In terms of people not taking holidays abroad, then we would foresee them taking more short breaks in this county. Shropshire is a short break destination.”
Caravan holiday parks in the county are also looking forward to a busy few months - it has been calculated they generate about £10 million a year for the Shropshire economy.
Visit Britain spokesman Elliot Frisby said: “Now is the time when the British tourism industry will be pitching its wares. Already we are seeing a lot of the operators reminding people a domestic break is a good option - 2008 could be a good year and 2009 could be even better. But it’s not going to fall into our laps.
“Generally British people want their holiday, they are reluctant to give up their holidays. It’s very difficult to tell when the impact of the economic downturn will begin to show.”
InterContinental Hotels Group spokesman Leslie McGibbon predicted some of Shropshire’s smaller bed and breakfast businesses could benefit.
The news puts more pressure on package tour operators, which are hoping to lure thousands to the usual sun-kissed locations. Thomas Cook will be updating the stock market tomorrow on its trading.
By Features Editor Carl Jones
2 Comments
ok do not panic, i am spending 2 weeks holiday in god’s own county from this friday
somebody better tell parkright and our esteemed leaders about this. there is still time to restrict parking, bump up parking fees and male drivers feel like criminals.