Welcome to Yorkshire bosses have written an open letter to the region’s MPs, calling for a package of targeted support measures for tourism businesses.
And it is uniting the industry in the county in an online conversation, using the hashtag #YorkshireTogether.
The aim is to embrace hospitality and allied industries to underline the need.
Peter Cox CBE, chairman, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented health and economic crisis.
“Across Yorkshire and the Humber, we have been inundated with calls for help from those running visitor attractions and destinations.
“Many have not yet recovered from the recent floods that decimated many parts of our region. We fear this pandemic will cause many of our tourism businesses to close their doors for good.
“The measures announced by the Chancellor this week, are far reaching and will be welcomed by many. But there is a sense from our members that urgent action is required now. The Prime Minister’s press conference on the 16th March effectively put the ‘closed’ sign on so many organisations that rely exclusively on tourists and visitors for their income.”
Addressing Yorkshire’s Westminster collective, he added: “We fully appreciate the pressure you are under, dealing with your caseloads and calls for help during this crisis. Without wishing to add to that burden, we are asking that you make representation to government, specifically calling for a package of targeted support measures for businesses in the tourism, hospitality and allied industries.
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“Tourism is now worth £9 billion to this region’s economy. We can’t afford to lose that.”
Hull is in the final year of its City of Culture tenure before the baton is passed to Coventry, and in June is scheduled to host the prestigious VisitEngland Awards, with the glitzy bash at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and an exhibition at Bonus Arena.
Like all major events ahead of the summer this will now be in grave doubt.
Tour De Yorkshire has been cancelled, having been scheduled for April 30 to May 3.