A new inquiry into coastal and lakeside tourism has been launched by The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hospitality and Tourism.

The “Coasts and Waters” inquiry aims

• What support can be afforded to coastal and lakeside commerce and economies to optimise their capacity to drive much needed economic growth, employment and prosperity?
• What distinct concerns to costal and lakeside businesses have from other hospitality businesses?
• What support do local authorities require to promote and support tourism?
• What structural issues faced by coastal communities that inhibit tourism?
• How can demand be stimulated for coastal and lakeside tourism?
• How can tourism to these areas be grown in a sustainable manner?
• What are the recent trends in the number of sector businesses within these regions of the UK?
• What conditions in the economy does this sector need for long term recovery and growth?

The APPG will hold two roundtable sessions with businesses in July, before opening a consultation process with relevant stakeholders.

The group aims to publish its report in early September.

The inquiry will look at areas including what support can be afforded to coastal and lakeside commerce and economies to optimise their capacity to drive much needed economic growth, employment and prosperity; how demand can be stimulated for coastal and lakeside tourism; and how tourism to these areas be grown in a sustainable manner.

APPG chairman Steve Double said: “The unfortunate reality is that many coastal regions had already been struggling prior to the pandemic. The APPG inquiry aims to provide a holistic examination of the challenges and opportunities that face hospitality and tourism businesses in these areas, providing government with a detailed report on how to promote and grow tourism in these areas in a sustainable way.”

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls added: “As the country begins to rebound from coronavirus, tourism and hospitality businesses across the country will have a huge role to play. Nowhere will this be more apparent than in coastal and lakeside areas, where hospitality jobs and businesses are essential to local communities. The government has pledged a ‘levelling up’ agenda across the country and supporting these vital sectors should form an essential part of this. We are grateful to APPG members for selecting such a timely and appropriate inquiry and look forward to working with them closely.”