This year’s English Tourism Week takes place from 25 to 31 May and is focusing on supporting the recovery of English tourism in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the tourism industry which highlights the importance, value and contribution the sector makes to the UK economy. This year, VisitEngland, which leads the campaign, has been working across industry and with the UK Government to ensure that tourism is able to recover as quickly as possible once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

In response to calls from across the industry, it is working to develop common industry standards that will provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism businesses, attractions and destinations in England as well as reassurance to visitors that businesses have clear processes in place when restrictions are lifted.

Tourism is one of England’s largest and most valuable industries, supporting hundreds of thousands of businesses, employing more than 2.6 million people and generating more than £106 billion a year for the English economy.

Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "English Tourism Week recognises the important role the industry plays in our local, regional and national economies, supporting jobs and attracting investment. This is a challenging time for the industry and we're providing support through an unprecedented government package for businesses and workers. I hope everyone will use English Tourism Week as an opportunity to celebrate the sector, and we'll be encouraging people to book a great British holiday as soon as it is safe to do."

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “English Tourism Week is all about highlighting the economic benefits that tourism brings to local economies, celebrating our diverse and exciting sector, and showcasing the quality, range and value of English tourism.

“While we cannot run events as usual this year, the spirit of the week has never been more important. Tourism has been one of the first and hardest hit economic sectors due to the Covid-19 pandemic and this year’s virtual week is dedicated to showing support for the industry, the millions of people who work in it and the hundreds of thousands of businesses impacted.

“It is also about looking towards the future recovery and doing everything we can right now to ensure that tourism can bounce back to once again become one of the most successful and vibrant sectors of the economy.”

VisitEngland has this year asked MPs to record video messages for use on their social media channels during English Tourism Week, pledging their support for tourism and highlighting the sector’s economic importance to their local economies.

On Thursday 28 May, as part of English Tourism Week, VisitEngland is also asking MPs to share photos and social media posts from previous English Tourism Weeks or from their favourite English holiday destinations using the hashtags #ThrowbackThursday and #EnglishTourismWeek20.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting English Tourism Week once again this year. At this critical time for the industry, we’re urging MPs, local authorities, the UK Government and other stakeholders to pledge their support to the sector’s recovery.”