£150,000 fund for foodie tourism trails

COMMUNITIES across the UK have been encouraged to apply for a share of a £150,000 fund to champion regional food and drink. Local partnerships – which could include community groups, trade bodies, and National Parks – can apply for grants and create a network of new foodie tourist trails.

The fund has been set up by the Agriculture ministry’s Great British Food Unit.

According to Visit Britain, food is a major factor in deciding where to visit for a third of all visitors. Research shows the importance of food and drink in attracting tourists to rural areas, with £5.7 billion spent by visitors to rural areas in 2013.

#Yorkshire is a top destination for foodie tourists from around the world; recent figures revealed that tourism in the county contributed £3.2 billion of the overall £59 billion that the tourism sector generated last year.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, comments: ‘Yorkshire has some of the best food and drink producers in the world; from Michelin-starred restaurants, to award-winning breweries and artisan food producers. I would encourage Yorkshire’s growers, suppliers and producers to bid, through Welcome to Yorkshire, for this funding to continue to grow and showcase the region’s fantastic culinary offering to the world and shout about our Yorkshire food identity.”

www.greatbritishfoodcampaign.com

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