English Tourism Week gets underway with events across the country (25 March - 2 April)

The best of English tourism is on show as the nation celebrates English Tourism Week with events and activities across the country. English Tourism Week (ETW), which began on Saturday 25 March and runs until Sunday 2 April, is an annual campaign to raise the profile of England’s tourism industry and highlight its value to the economy.

VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “It’s fantastic to see so much going on in celebration of our impressive tourism industry and its outstanding products and services. Our stunning countryside, vibrant cities and historic landscapes continue to inspire people to discover what’s on their doorstep and throughout the country.”

The tourism visitor economy is worth £106 billion annually to England, supporting thousands of businesses and the transport, rural and retail sectors as well as sport, museums and galleries, theatre and other performing arts. Tourism is one of the few sectors active in every part of the country, supporting more than 2.6 million jobs. A major employer of school leavers and young people, the industry offers many opportunities for entrepreneurs.

VisitEngland has named 2017 the ‘Year of Literary Heroes’ in recognition of this year’s milestone literary events including the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and 75 years of Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five.