Wildlife draws crowds (From Witney Gazette)

Wildlife draws crowds

5:00pm Sunday 27th July 2008 in Witney By David Horne

Tourism is still the biggest earner for the west Oxfordshire economy, according to latest figures.

It brings in over £220m and the district, on the edge of the Cotswolds and with major attractions like Blenheim Palace and Cotswold Wildlife Park, has nearly 3.7 million visitors a year.

The area's growth in the tourist industry comes out of a study recently carried out by Tourism South East covering aspects like accommodation costs, food and drink and entry fees to venues and attractions.

Hilary Biles, district council cabinet member of leisure, tourism and health, said: "The survey shows just how important tourism is to West Oxfordshire.

"The council is committed to working with tourism businesses and encouraging tourism, as well as continuing to enhance the district to ensure it remains one of the best places to live, work and visit."

The latest figures available are for the year 2006. Of the 3.7m visitors, 87 per cent were day trippers and the rest staying one night or more.

The tourism spend of £221.4m was split up as follows: 32 per cent on food and drink, 24 per cent on shopping, 21 per cent on travel, 13 per cent on accommodation and ten per cent on entertainment.

The survey also showed that just over 4,000 people were employed in the tourism sector.

The growth in tourist-related income for the local economy has been running at about four per cent.