Nottinghamshire County Council is consulting on how to best refresh the county’s tourism industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis.

It is hoping visitor attractions, local businesses and suppliers across the county will take part and have their say. The consultation is running until Friday 14 October.

History and the natural environment will be major parts of the consultation, which will lead to a new tourism strategy for Nottinghamshire. Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest are set to form a large part of what the county has in store.

The pandemic hit the tourism industry hard. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that between April and June 2020, employment in the visitor accommodation fell by 21.5% and the number of air travel arrivals to the UK fell by 98%.

Those aged between 16 and 24 years old were the worst hit economically because of the loss of jobs in the tourism sector. The council now wants to return to pre-pandemic levels of tourism by 2025.

The cost of living is also at the centre of the consultation as people adapt how they spend their leisure time.

In addition to traditional businesses, those involved in tourism supply chains are also invited to take part.

Councillor Keith Girling, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “I’m urging attractions, businesses, supply chain sectors, and our council partners to get involved in this online consultation on the future of our visitor economy in Nottinghamshire.

“Before the pandemic, the visitor economy was one of the UK’s fastest growing industries, generating billions in GDP a year and employing over two million people, but it became one of the worst hit sectors.”

The local businesses are being invited to fill out the survey at: https://consult.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/cultural-services/nottinghamshire-visitor-economy-strategy-feedback/

(image: Luke Galloway/Unsplash)