'Wish you were here Gordon" say Mark Hunter MP

5.49.00pm GMT Thu 26th Mar 2009

Cheadle MP Mark Hunter is this week pressing Gordon Brown to support Tourism across the country and in the Cheadle constituency.

As part of British Tourism Week Mr Hunter made a formal visit the famous Bramall Hall, the beautiful Tudor mansion in Bramhall (with some parts dating back to the 14th Century) to raise national and international awareness of the size, value and importance of Britain's £86 billion visitor economy. Although Mr Hunter is a frequent visitor to Bramall Hall and Park, he took this opportunity to meet with its staff and Manager Caroline Egan to discuss how the Hall is faring in the current economic climate and what more can be done to promote Bramall Hall as a tourist attraction.

Mark with other Lib Dem MPs outside Downing Street to petition the Prime Minister to do more to promote UK tourism

Earlier this week, Mr Hunter joined other Liberal Democrat MPs in presenting Gordon Brown with postcards petitioning him to do more to promote local Tourism. Mr Hunter's card invited the Prime Minister to pay a visit to Bramall Hall and perhaps even holiday in the region this year. The cards highlighted the following five reasons to visit British Tourist attractions: their affordability, variety, stunning scenery, friendly welcome, and impressive history.

Mr Hunter said: "Bramall Hall is the Jewel in the Crown of Stockport. Luckily for me it's only a short walk from my home, I can think of few better places to visit on a lovely spring day than Bramall Hall and Park and I'm proud that it's part of the area which I have the privilege of representing. The Tourism industry like any other is struggling at the moment and that is why I want to do what I can to promote the excellent Bramall Hall to local as well as national and international visitors.

"British tourism can only thrive if the Government are prepared to invest in the industry and adopt a sound marketing strategy to publicise Britain's many attractions. Yet Visit Britain, the body responsible for marketing Britain as a tourist destination abroad has seen its funding drastically cut by over £15 million between 2003 and 2010, with the Government refusing to commit to more funding in the sector.

"As a crucial part of the UK economy, tourism deserves to be taken far more seriously by the government. Tourism could provide one of the routes out of the recession. Thousands of jobs could be protected and new ones created if the cuts in the funding for Visit Britain were reversed and steps like reducing VAT on accommodation and entrance to tourist attractions were considered. While Liberal Democrat MPs can promote places in their own constituencies, it takes increased government support to do it for the whole country."