Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson has called on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Miller, to take action on tourism after a reduction of 60,000 visitors in the last year to the north east.

During Culture, Media and Sport Questions, Ms Miller mentioned the “Holidays at Home are GREAT” campaign for 2013, which was launched earlier this year to help boost UK tourism throughout the UK by promoting the benefits of holidaying in the UK instead of abroad. You can read the full transcript here.

Speaking after Culture Media and Sport Questions, Bridget Phillipson MP said:

“I called on the Secretary to recognise that not all areas of the UK are seeing increased levels of tourism. Tourism in the north east has declined a great deal in the last year and action needs to be taken to make sure tourist numbers rise.

“The government needs to ensure the 2013 “Holidays at Home are GREAT” campaign seeks to promote every part of the UK. After the 2012 campaign the north east actually experienced a decline in tourism.

“Tourism is extremely important for our country’s economy but I want to make sure the north east is not left behind.”