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Tourists flock to beautiful county




Campaigns to boost tourism in Rutland have sparked a five per cent increase in spending during the last year.

The latest figures show visitors brought £123million into the county between 2016 and 2017 with shops reaping the biggest share of the
profits.

Tourism promoters at Discover Rutland have been working on a number of campaigns to promote the county as a tourist destination including seasonal visitor guides and an upgraded website.

Lee Hellwing (2349370)
Lee Hellwing (2349370)

They are hopeful this work will have attracted even more visitors this year.

Chairman Ed Burrows said: “It’s excellent news and I’m very proud of the committee and what we have achieved.

“It’s all down to the quality of establishments we have in Rutland and the communication between them to make sure we offer the best visitor
experience.”

The figures were put together by Global Tourism Solutions and announced at Discover Rutland’s annual forum last week.

It revealed that visitor numbers reached 1.855 million - an annual increase of 2.7 per cent.

Spending on shopping reached £28.72m, food and drink spending was up to £23.88m, accommodation was £19.35m , transport reached £11.45m and recreation £9.99m.

Other indirect spending totalled £30.43m.

The increase in visitors has had a positive impact on employment in the county too, with 1,655 full time jobs supported by tourism.

Mr Burrows said: “If people support tourism it can only benefit the county and help it to thrive.”

Discover Rutland’s next project is an Explorers Road initiative which should be rolled out in the
spring.

The promotion encourages visitors to travel the route of the A1 and visit market towns along the way.

The 400-mile self-drive route runs from Northumberland to Hertfordshire, taking in 16 market towns and three cities.

The destinations include Oakham, Uppingham, Stamford and Grantham.

Mr Burrows said: “We’re hopeful it will bring even more visitors to the area.

“It’s really going to give the small business a boost.”



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