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• The visitor economy across Devon and Somerset employs 65,000 people (84,500 if supply chain is included: food supply chain and agricultural/fishing sectors) totalling a further 7,345 businesses generating £3.35bn visitor spend annually. In some rural areas, over 60% of the population work in the sector.

VisitBritain has commissioned a weekly tracking survey to understand domestic intent to take short breaks and holidays both within the U.K. and abroad, with particular focus around the current barriers and concerns around travel and how these will evolve over time.

Key facts • UK – tourism attracted 38m visitors generating £23bn for the economy – Prior to Covid19, tourism was projected to deliver 23% increase in inbound visitors by 2025 and 3% increase in domestic tourism • HotSW LEP – Across the SW, tourism generates 2nd highest GVA outside of London! – 16% of all domestic visits – 18% of all total visitor spend – £3.35bn generated in the economy

Visit Somerset and Weston College are delighted to announce the working partnership in launching a series of webinars for our members and the industry supporting different elements of business support whilst briefing the industry on our Visit Somerset’s current and future aims and objectives and post COVID planning.

Additional updates from yesterday Government Briefing:  Further updates from yesterday’s government briefing led by Health Secretary Matt Hancock and he was joined by Professor John Newton, coordinator of the national testing effort. The briefing focused on the production of personal protective equipment (PPE), a new drug trial and the latest testing numbers.

SWT covid-19 support grants   The small business grant and retail, hospitality and leisure covid-19 support currently stands at 79% take up. Cllr’s and some SWT engagement officers are trying to capture ones that have not claimed within their wards.

Every week now our team will update you all on what the Visit Somerset are supporting in an effort to come through the crisis and ensure our Visitor Economy has a future. This is what Visit Somerset has been supporting in the last week.

Here at Noah’s Ark, we rely entirely on visitors for our income – ticket sales and income from the café and gift shop is what keeps us afloat.

The government is committed to doing whatever it takes to support businesses and individuals through the coronavirus pandemic and HMRC has a range of online support for you.

Summary of Prime Minister’s speech in House of Commons.