Stephen Metcalfe: St George’s Day Bank Holiday will boost the
economy in South Basildon & East Thurrock
 
 The recent publication of the Coalition Government’s Tourism Strategy will cut red tape, free up local businesses, and re-establish the tourism industry as a key priority for restoring the UK economy.
 
The bold proposals include a consultation on extending the tourist season by moving the first Bank Holiday in May to create a new St George’s Day holiday in England and St David’s Day in Wales.
 
The strategy will generate four million extra overseas visitors over the next four years, bringing an extra £2 billion worth of visitor spend in to the country and creating 50,000 new jobs.
 
Commenting on the publication of the strategy, Stephen Metcalfe said: "The Coalition’s Tourism Strategy will make a big difference to the local economy here in South Essex. People across my constituency and are proud of their Patron Saint and if the first May Bank Holiday were moved to around the 23rd April I think this would be a great boost to our local economy.”
 
“It would give us an opportunity to properly celebrate and to bring together our local community to share our heritage which could well attract more tourists to the area.”
 
“For too long, Labour ignored the vital importance of tourism whilst suffocating the industry with red-tape.”
 
“After years in the Labour wilderness, tourism is finally being recognised as the crucial driver of our economy that it is.”

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