West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin today spoke up for rural tourism and as she visited a county caravan park during British tourism week. The MP visited Wigley Orchard Holiday Park in Stoke Bliss and met with its family owners to discuss the challenges facing rural tourism businesses. Harriett toured the seven-acre site run by Brian Griffiths, which hosts visitors from the UK and Europe throughout the year. The family also own the St. Michael’s caravan park. The park has recently seen an increase in guests from the Netherlands after promoting the site through a European agent. Harriett commented: “The local tourism industry creates wealth and local jobs and is vital to the success of our local economy. It was interesting to talk with Brian and his family to discuss their business. “They estimate that their visitors bring £500,000 of spending power into the Tenbury area each year and they employ eight additional staff.” According to the industry association, caravan parks provide 20 per cent of all the UK visitor nights with one in three UK residents taking a UK caravan holiday in the last three years. Harriett added: “The Government is investing in campaigns which aim to persuade people to spend money on so-called ‘staycations’ this year to time and holiday at home. “It is also investing millions marketing the UK abroad with the “Britain is Great” campaign and I hope that Wigley Orchard and other tourism businesses will be able to benefit from this investment. “With the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations this summer, there isn’t a better time to spread the message that this is a great place to take a holiday.”