Last week, local MP Tessa Munt delivered a speech at the Annual National Conference of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) to celebrate the British Tourism Industry.

Tessa was invited to speak after a successful campaign by Somerset’s caravan park owners, combined with the full ‘fire-power’ of the BH&HPA, led to a rethink by the Treasury on its plans to introduce the “Caravan Tax” in the Chancellor’s 2012 Budget.

Addressing delegates, including those from Somerset, Tessa emphasised how important tourism is for our economy, not least in the South West where over 35 thousand people are reliant on the industry for their livelihoods.

In a wide-ranging speech about the UK’s improving economy, she emphasised the importance of a rise in the number of jobs, cuts in fuel duties, income tax cuts for low and middle earners and a potential rise in the national minimum wage, all of which directly affect British holidaymakers and their spending power.  She commented on the loyalty of holidaymakers who return year after year to parks in the UK, and observed that their loyalty deserved to be repaid with Government help.