Following the Mayoral elections, London’s small businesses are looking forward to English Tourism Week (22 – 31 May 2021) and playing their part in the Mayor’s £6m Let’s Do London campaign to help boost domestic tourism and the capital’s visitor economy as the easing of the lockdown allows the reopening of cultural and entertainment venues including the many restaurants and theatres.
FSB London Regional Chair, Michael Lassman said: “Next week’s proposed date of the 17 May for reopening of indoor hospitality and other sectors is welcomed by small businesses who have been waiting five months for this date and who are feeling hopeful of a Great British Summer to look forward to.
“The certainty provided by the Government’s road-map for England is filling many London small business owners with renewed confidence.
“We live in hope that the virus stays in retreat so that the remaining indicative date of 21 June for easing all restrictions can be met enabling our vital night time economy, offices and travel and tourism businesses to get back to it as well.
“FSB’s key recommendations for the new mayoralty included ‘focus on a safe tourism-led recovery’ through greater resources for London and Partners and Visit England to promote London across the world, plus, the re-introduction of tax-free shopping for international visitors.
“The Let’s Do London tourism campaign is a great start”.
FSB London member – Henrietta Ferguson, CEO, Henrietta Ferguson Luxury Tours, a family owned, award winning private luxury tour business said: “The travel sector employs over 1 in 10 in the UK and is a vital backbone to our economy.
“The pandemic has seen many casualties across the sector.
“For Henrietta Ferguson Luxury Tours, it has been a real struggle but sharing our plight with others allowed us to consider our business survival options.
“We chose to pivot the business and have been offering a range of live virtual tours which have proven popular during lockdown.
“In addition, we launched a range of new tours for 2021 to support the staycation market which we are very excited about.
“Touring London on our own hasn’t been as fun and we can’t wait to welcome day visitors and tourists to our great capital city this summer”.
Leave a Comment