Welcome to English Tourism Week 2023
Good things often come in small packages and — when it comes to England’s tourism sector — that’s certainly the case. Despite the nation’s relatively small geographic size, its tourism industry makes a substantial contribution to the wider British economy, supporting the livelihoods of many and generating a considerable amount of revenue via visitor spending. English Tourism Week is a celebration of all the good — or, as the strapline of this year's theme would have it — the ‘amazing’ places, people, and businesses that are vital in ensuring the sector’s onward success and growth. Here’s everything you need to know about this week-long event, including how to get involved in the celebration.
A Space for Creativity and Innovation in a Time of Recovery
Led by VisitEngland, this year's English Tourism Week runs from 17 March until 26 March. During this time, those within the industry will rally together to promote the sector’s importance to its many stakeholders and the wider general public. As highlighted by VisitBritain, in 2019 English tourism contributed over £100 billion alone to the greater British economy and employed 2.6 million people, many of them young adults and school leavers. In the wider sense, English tourism comprises 80% of the country’s visitor economy and functions as a space for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. While it’s a celebration of all who work in or are connected to the industry, this year’s English Tourism Week serves to showcase the true value, range, and overall quality of the sector during a crucial moment of recovery and revival. As a platform, it is also intended to highlight what England — as a destination — has to offer to both domestic and overseas travelers.
From MPs to Members of the Public: How to Support English Tourism Week
As part of English Tourism Week, those within the industry are counting on support from all quarters — including from local authorities and Members of Parliament (MPs) — to help raise a wider awareness of the sector’s contribution to the nation. While authorities and MPs will be provided with all of the information and data they need to understand the importance of English tourism to their areas and constituents, businesses and destinations are welcome to download and use the slogans, logos, and promotional materials contained within this toolkit.
On social media, users can show their support for the sector by using the hashtag #EnglishTourismWeek23 and tagging their posts on @VisitEnglandBiz. While travellers are more than welcome to contribute their support via these handles — and even to share photos of their favourite English holidays using the hashtag #throwbackthursdays — the most important thing they can do for the sector is, of course, to keep exploring England. To that end, VisitEngland has released a full schedule of events to inspire, excite, and entice travelers with all that England has to offer.
A time for recognition, a time for celebration, a time for revival — this year’s English Tourism Week is many things to many people. But one thing’s for certain: it’s a time to praise this sector and its unmistakable contribution to the wider nation.
