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MP Enjoys Day Out in Bristol

09.08.2007

Enjoying the sunny weather, Bristol South MP and Minister for Public Heath, Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo spent yesterday in Bristol, visiting some of city's wonderful attractions and experiencing a day in the life of a tourist.

Following recent incidents of flooding in other parts of the country and Foot and Mouth Disease, Dawn Primarolo's outing to Bristol was one of 15 Ministerial visits around the country to show support to Britain's tourism industry. It formed part of a larger campaign to promote British tourism and to deliver the message that 'Britain is open for Business'.

Bristol is the ninth most visited city by international tourists to the UK. There were some 398,000 overseas visitors in 2005 - a 14% increase on 2004. The city attracts more international visitors than neighbouring Bath and is more popular than Brighton as a domestic holiday destination.

Accompanied by the Leader of Bristol City Council, Cllr Helen Holland, and supported by Destination Bristol, the tourism partnership for the city, Primarolo visited both Bristol Zoo Gardens and Tyntesfield Estate on what was one of the busiest visitor days of the year.

Bristol Zoo Gardens is a 12 acre site and was previously awarded 'Zoo of the Year 2004'. Dedicated to conservation, it is the fifth oldest zoo in the world and the oldest outside of a capital city. Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP and Cllr Helen Holland were shown around the Zoo's grounds and were greeted by Deputy Director Bryan Carroll. Highlights included the Madagascan animal trail and the Act Wild Madagascan theatre performance.

The day came to an end with a trip to Tyntesfield Estate, a remarkable Victorian gothic country house that overlooks the beautiful Vale of Nailsea, just seven miles from Bristol. Commenting on her trip to the Estate, Cllr Helen Holland said "It made me realise the enormousness of what the Tyntesfield conservation project entails, alongside the National Trust's vision of how they plan to present the house and gardens. We have had a wonderful afternoon"

Minister for Public Health, Dawn Primarolo added "Millions are enjoying holidays in cities such as Bristol. Tourism is incredibly important to the British economy. It's worth £85 billion, employing around 2million people directly and indirectly - the fifth largest industry. Britain's tourist attractions add to the country's wellbeing and stimulating leisure opportunities benefit both physical and mental health"

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Notes to Editor
1. Destination Bristol, formerly the Bristol Tourism and Conference Bureau is a not for profit partnership between Bristol City Council and Business West. Destination Bristol is the destination management partnership for Bristol and South Gloucestershire and leads the marketing of the area as a travel destination. The aim of the organisation is to work with members and partners, to increase business competitiveness, support employment and economic growth, and raise the profile of the Bristol city-region as a European-class travel destination.

For more information please contact:
Kerrie Grist
Marketing Executive
Destination Bristol
Tel: 0117 946 2205
Email: kerrie.grist@destinationbristol.co.uk