A CALL has been made for local authorities covering the Yorkshire Dales to be ready to help tourism businesses bounce back as fears grow about the impact on the industry of the Coronavirus.

Susan Briggs, who runs the Dales Tourism Network, which helps businesses within the visitor economy better market themselves, has written to Richmondshire Council, North Yorkshire County Council and Craven District Council to call for funding for a collaborative tourism campaign to help tourism bounce back in the Yorkshire Dales.

She said tourism businesses in the Dales had already been adversely affected by both the flooding and Coronavirus.

“They are struggling with cancellations and fewer advance booking,” she added.

“Tourism businesses rely on income generated between now and September to remain in business during the remainder of the year.

“Many use local suppliers and are farm diversification projects that supplement farm income. The negative impact of a tourism downturn on the broader Dales economy will be considerable.”

She said she had requested funding support to create a promotional campaign.

She said: “Work we do now will have a major impact on the success of the industry later in the season,” she added.

“Businesses are very happy to collaborate on a joint campaign and to make a financial contribution but we really need seed funding to kick-start activity.