On Friday 23 April, Luke Pollard, Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport hosted the latest in his series of ‘Pastries & Politics’ at The Boathouse Café on Commercial Wharf celebrating all things tourism in Plymouth.

A range of people representing the industry, from small business owners, to education leaders and representatives from Destination Plymouth, led a discussion about all things tourism in Plymouth. They discussed what works well, what the city can do better, the need for connectivity investment and what opportunities tourism offers Plymouth in the future.

Luke Pollard MP says:

“Plymouth has a successful tourism sector and it has the potential to be even bigger, better and employ more people. We have over five million day visitors but there’s opportunities ahead with the 400^th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower to increase tourism even more. Today’s round-table discussion with local tourism businesses helped highlight what an amazing tourist product Plymouth has and what incredible potential we have for Plymouth residents and tourists to enjoy an enhanced leisure and hospitality offer in the city.

“There are clearly some big challenges and to hear from businesses about why they want to see the railway upgraded or the M5 extended to Plymouth will help me lobby for this in Parliament. I was also really pleased that there has been such a positive reception for my campaign for Plymouth Sound to be designated as the country’s first National Marine Park.

“This breakfast roundtable took place at the end of English Tourism Week. We have such a superb opportunity to grow this sector, investing in skills and new facilities. Having worked in travel and tourism, I know how important this sector is. I hope this is the start of the process that will really see Plymouth seize the opportunities ahead.”

The next in his series of ‘Pastries & Politics’, hosted at Shekinah Mission will discuss homeless and rough sleeping in Plymouth.