During a recent gathering, officials from the North East Lincolnshire Council emphasised the need for more considerable investment in its regional tourism sector in response to a slight decrease in visitor numbers in 2024. Tourism reportedly injects around £724 million into the local economy, yet the council’s budget for its visitor economy team stands at only £38,000. The council’s scrutiny panel has analysed the drop from 8.6 million residents in 2024 to 10.3 million before the pandemic in 2019. Councillor Steve Holland voiced concerns about the lack of resources, suggesting a pilot scheme to bolster the tourism team.
Spencer Hunt, who serves as the council’s assistant director for safer and stronger places, recognised the demand for more robust provision. Simultaneously, Helen Thompson, the strategic lead for tourism, pointed to poor weather as a key factor driving the decline. The panel suggested to the cabinet that resource restrictions could be impeding the potential for tourism.
This article is based on original reporting by BBC News.
