Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on tourism in each of the English regions; and if he will make a statement.

We recognise the COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted tourism across England. Both DCMS and VisitEngland remain in regular contact with tourism stakeholders and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) around the country to closely monitor the situation and to assess the economic effects.

The Chancellor has announced a host of measures to support businesses and individuals through the crisis, including those in the tourism sector. This includes the recently extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Bounce Back Loans scheme.

Through VisitEngland, we announced a £1.3 million scheme to provide financial support to DMOs at risk of closure due to COVID-19. This allowed DMOs to continue their vital business support work, providing advice and guidance for tourism businesses across England.

My Department has established a Cultural Renewal Taskforce to help our sectors’ prepare to safely reopen. Within this taskforce, I chair a specific Visitor Economy Working Group which is developing guidance to help tourism businesses to safely reopen.

We will continue to engage with stakeholders to assess how we can most effectively support the tourism sector’s recovery from Covid-19. As soon as it is safe to do so, we will encourage people to book trips and support domestic tourism.