THE South West Coast Path, which will soon be extended through Somerset up to Brean, has been named as one of the first beneficiaries of a £40 million government fund aiming to boost tourism in Britain.

The money will be used to bring together a ‘whole range of bookable experiences using new technology’. This will include scenery, activities, places to eat and accommodation for German and Dutch visitors who want to explore by foot or bike.

The South West Coast Path Association, will work in collaboration with destination management organisations in the South West to develop and market this online product.

Following the announcement, Prime Minister Theresa May said Brexit could create ‘real opportunities for growth’ in the UK tourism industry.

The Prime Minister said the announcements, made ahead of the August bank holiday weekend, will help make it easier for people to travel beyond London and support the UK’s ‘vitally important’ tourism industry.

Mrs May said: “The British people’s decision to leave the European Union creates real opportunities for growth and we will work in close partnership with the tourism industry, to ensure it continues to thrive as negotiations on the UK’s exit progress.

“We are making it easier for visitors to travel beyond London and experience all of the world-class attractions the UK has to offer, to make sure the benefits of this thriving industry are felt by the many and not the few.

“We will make sure Britain is even more attractive, accessible and welcoming to visitors.”

VisitEngland chief executive Sally Balcombe said the fund attracted ‘an exceptional number of high quality bids, far outweighing the allocated funding available for year one’.

“We are pleased to have chosen some excellent winners who we will now be working closely with to build world-class ‘bookable’ tourism products showcasing the best of England to international and domestic visitors. We look forward to continuing the success of the Fund with larger scale bids worth more than £1 million in years two and three.”

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley said: “With world-class museums, fantastic heritage sites and stunning countryside the UK has a lot to offer tourists - from both home and abroad.

“Through the Discover England Fund and working with the industry, I look forward to helping further strengthen tourism outside London to ensure that growth from the sector is enjoyed right across the whole country.”

The announcement of the winners comes as the Government launches a Tourism Action Plan to improve Britain’s competitive tourism offer and ensure the continued success of the tourism industry.

One of the aims of the Tourism Action Plan is to make it easier and more appealing for visitors to explore Britain by rail, bus and coach.

The three-year £40million Discover England Fund, announced by the Government, will ensure that England stays competitive in the rapidly growing global tourism industry, by offering world-class English tourism products to the right customers at the right time.

4. South West Coastal Path – Amazing Experiences and Making Memories

A whole range of bookable experiences will be brought together using new technology along the South West Coastal Path, including scenery, activities, places to eat and accommodation, for German and Dutch visitors who want to explore by foot or by bike. The South West Coast Path Association, will work in collaboration with destination management organisations in the South West to develop and market this online product.