Tourism Minister visits Plymouth

Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch visited Plymouth yesterday (Friday 31 March) to see Britain’s Ocean City for herself, and to hear more about preparations for the Mayflower 400 commemorations in 2020.

The Minister is visiting Plymouth to mark English Tourism Week as the city makes vital preparations working with national and international partners to mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.

From Holland to Boston, the world will be commemorating the Mayflower Pilgrim’s historic and perilous journey across the Atlantic to the New World on board the Mayflower in 1620.

Plymouth is leading a national partnership of eleven locations across England who are all united in their ambitions for an internationally significant commemoration which will be celebrated through major international events, development of new tourism itineraries and products, culture and the arts, education programmes, community participation and volunteering schemes and joint scientific and business projects.

Tourism supports over 7,000 jobs in Plymouth and brings over £316 million into the local economy annually. It is estimated that across the national Mayflower partnership there will be an increase in tourism visitors of over 1.4 million visitors during the commemoration year.

Tourism and Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch said: “The Mayflower 400 commemorations will be a wonderful event that will attract visitors from around the world and encourage them to travel beyond London and see this wonderful part of the country.

“I’m delighted to be here in Plymouth during English Tourism Week to see how the city is using this important milestone to raise its international profile and attract more visitors to these historic shores.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our relationship with international partners such as the US and showcase a global, outward-looking Britain.”

Prime Minister Theresa May has appointed Plymouth MP Oliver Colvile as her Special Representative for Mayflower, and Ms Couch, the Minister for Sport, Heritage and Tourism, will be overseeing the work at national level.

Mr Colvile, MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, said: “I’m delighted the Tourism Minister has chosen to celebrate English Tourism Week here in Plymouth as we prepare for one of the most important commemoration anniversaries in the country’s history.”

“A huge number of people are busy working behind the scenes to make sure all the national partners and Plymouth are able to take full advantage of the opportunities Mayflower 400 could bring, including an uplift in US tourists, new investment and business opportunities, education and community programmes.”

Top of the agenda is an ambitious new national heritage trail between the national partnership towns and cities with historic links to the Mayflower story.

Plymouth projects already unveiled include renovations to historic city buildings; a "world class" Mayflower monument; a history trail taking visitors on a journey back to the 16th Century and a new History Centre.

Other ideas include major music events on the Hoe, a ‘Mayflower Muster’ display involving the US, UK and Dutch Navy forces, major theatrical events and public art commissions.

MP for Plymouth Moor View Johnny Mercer, who joined the minister and Mr Colvile for today’s (<FRI 31st>) meeting at the Mayflower Steps on the Barbican, said: “Mayflower 400 is set to be a seminal point in Plymouth’s history as Britain’s Ocean City. It will give us the opportunity to capitalise on our beautiful natural surroundings, highlight our top tourism credentials and provides new openings for local businesses to form new commercial relationships.”

Promoted by Visit Britain and Visit England, English Tourism Week raises the profile and understanding of the nation’s tourism sector – the country’s third largest employer - with decision makers, the media, employees and those considering a career in the industry.

Council leader Ian Bowyer said: “We are extremely honoured that the Tourism Minister has chosen to visit Plymouth during English Tourism Week and we are thrilled to be able to keep her up to date with all our plans.”