As Parliament went into recess last Wednesday, I took Thursday off and spent the day with my nephew and nieces in Hastings. We wandered down George Street, had fish and chips in Rock-a-Nore, ice cream, climbed East Hill and played crazy golf. It was a wonderful day and the teenagers loved it. Observing the Old Town from East Hill, it filled my heart to see the Town, the Stade and the Sea Front bustling with visitors enjoying the glorious things Hastings has to offer.
We drove home via Fairlight and stopped at the top of the hill to get out of the car to ogle at the stunning view. Down through Pett Level, Winchelsea Beach and on to Rye. As we drove along, I was explaining to the youngsters about the constituency, places and people I know and love, and how I had driven the same route on a similar beautiful day the summer before, contemplating; how could anyone not love this place, want to spend time here? It truly is the most beautiful constituency and I am so very lucky and proud to represent you all in Parliament.
Tourism (with our cultural sector) is very important to our local economy, which has taken a real hit because of coronavirus. In 2017, in Rother District, £329.2 million was spent in the local area as a result of tourism (taking into account ‘multiplier effects’). 7,837 local jobs were supported with 29% of the local population employed as a result of tourism in Rother District. In Hastings, tourism supports around 30% of local jobs - nearly 5,500 - and generates approximately £266 million for the local economy. All in all, in 1066 Country, tourism supports over 15,000 jobs and generates around £665 million for our local economy.
UK wide, tourism is recognised as an important part of the rural economy and has huge potential for growth, particularly in the more deprived rural areas and coastal towns, where there is untapped potential to generate tourism-related economic growth and employment. Tourism has been considered a ‘Cinderella’ industry, but it is a great career choice, with global opportunities and it is expected to be quite resilient to increasing automation and computer-powered everything. What we have seen here is Hastings and Rye, however, is that we also need to increase employment outside tourism to strengthen the resilience of our local economy. That is why transport infrastructure and a skilled local population is so important and two of the main local issues that I am working to improve.
The Chancellor has given vital support to tourism and tourism related businesses throughout the coronavirus crisis and there are many constituents thankful for that support. He recently announced a very welcome boost for tourism and hospitality businesses, as part of his Summer Economic Update to kickstart the economy post-coronavirus, such as the cut in VAT for hospitality, accommodation and attraction businesses from 20 per cent to 5 per cent for six months and the Summer Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
The last four months have seen our local communities really pull together to fight off the virus and result in our area having some of the lowest rates of infection and deaths anywhere in the UK. Now we need to summon that community spirit once more, to pull together and support our local businesses, so that out of this health crisis we can turbo-charge our local economy and save jobs and livelihoods. Together we have kept the virus at bay, and together we can kick-start our local economy.