On Tuesday 14 March the Prince of Wales visited Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill in Cambridgeshire, to celebrate British Tourism Week, which this year has taken place from the 12 ? 20 March.
British Tourism Week aims to raise local, regional, national and international awareness of the size, value and importance of Britain’s ?115 billion visitor economy.
The Prince, who is President of the National Trust and Patron of British Tourism Week also gave a speech?at the VisitEngland 2011 Tourism Summit, urging that farmers are the tourist industry’s “greatest ally” and that the countryside must remain a “living, breathing” place.
“The delicately-woven tapestry of our countryside is facing unprecedented pressures,” he said. “Start pulling at the threads and the whole thing could fall apart.”
The Prince also spoke of the importance of village pubs, traditional crafts and maintaining “cultural continuity” in an age of “stultifying mono-culturalism”.
“The greatest ally the tourism industry has is the farmer, who keeps the landscape looking as it does. This is especially true in upland areas,” The Prince told the conference in Lode.
“It is important for everyone involved in the tourism sector that our countryside remains a living, breathing place for everyone to enjoy.
“For me it is as important that those who live in urban areas have countryside to visit.”
Have you taken part in British Tourism Week? Let us know!