A new rail pass and voucher scheme will support travel and tourism businesses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has revealed.
It comes after the publication of the new Tourism Recovery Plan, which aims to return domestic tourism to pre-pandemic levels by 2022.
According to the Government, a new rail pass and voucher scheme will incentivise the public to travel to popular tourism hotspots across the country.
Backed by the National Lottery, the £10 million voucher scheme will offer lottery players the chance to win vouchers to redeem at tourist attractions in the UK between September 2021 and March 2020 to boost visits outside the peak summer season.
The rail pass initiative, meanwhile, will allow domestic tourists to travel anywhere around the country under one single ticket.
The scheme – administered by Visit Britain – is expected to launch “later this year”.
The measures form part of the new Tourism Recovery Plan, which is designed to boost the industry most severely affected by the pandemic.
Under the plan, the Government aims to return domestic tourism to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 and international tourism by 2023.
The latest statistics suggest that 41 million international visitors came to the UK for business or leisure in 2019 – spending over £28 billion during their stay.
The measures announced today come in addition to existing coronavirus support schemes, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), billions of pounds in grants and loans, and some £5 billion in VAT cuts and business rates relief.
Welcoming the Tourism Recovery Plan, VisitBritain chairman Lord Patrick McLoughlin said: “Tourism is a critical industry, a powerhouse of innovation, creativity and employment, injecting cash into the economy with a track record for growth and levelling-up, supporting local economies in every part of the UK and strengthening our place on the world stage.
“By working together to drive demand and build back visitor spend as quickly as possible we can emerge from the pandemic and also look towards a brighter future building an industry that is more resilient, sustainable, inclusive and innovative.”
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer, UK Hospitality, added: “The Tourism Recovery Plan is a hugely positive and welcome recognition of the social, economic and cultural importance of the hospitality and tourism sector.
“It is not only our third largest export earner but also domestically it delivers jobs, growth and investment at pace and scale in communities across the UK.”
For help and advice with related matters, please get in touch with our expert team today.