Dudley is the perfect destination for an Easter holiday, says MP

Speaking during a Commons debate on tourism, Dudley MP Sonia Kumar told colleagues that the town was the perfect place for a short break.

She said while Dudley attracted 9.6 million visitors in 2023, bringing in £447 million into the borough, it was time people started recognising it as more than a place for a day trip.

She said: “If members are thinking about where to visit in the Easter or summer holidays, I have a location in mind.

"It is somewhere visitors can pick up a fossil, take a boat trip, see the sets where 'Peaky Blinders' was shot, or feed the giraffes. If members need any more clues, it is the heart of the Industrial Revolution. If members are still guessing, the answer is Dudley, with its zoo and castle, the Black Country Living Museum and, of course, the historic canals and caverns, where people can enjoy a leisurely boat trip or the beauty of the canals as they go for a picturesque walk."

Miss Kumar was speaking during a debate called by Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson, and said it was important that the Government recognised that tourism was not just about London and coastal towns.

She said tourism was an important part of Dudley's economy. and supported a wide range of jobs, from retail and zoology to site managers and tour guides.

She said it was time for a fresh start to revitalise the tourism industry, but added: "Plans to talk about tourism cannot just focus on hotspots like London or coastal towns, they must also focus on towns that are rich in culture and history."

Miss Kumar said the Black Country Living Museum had a record-breaking year in 2023, with 380,000 visitors, including 53,000 students and school pupils. 

"I want to encourage more visitors to come to Dudley, not just for the day but overnight, to stay and expand the night-time economy, so that our bars and restaurants can benefit from the fantastic offerings of the tourism industry," she said.

"The nature of supporting the tourism sector is that every pound spent is multiplied by visitors spending money on attractions, restaurants, hotels, bars and taxis. 

"It is crucial that we recognise the value of the entire tourism ecosystem, from small businesses to hotels, restaurants and larger attractions, but we need government support to ensure that we have the resources and infrastructure to succeed."

But she warned that without investment, the tourism sector would be hit by stagnation.

"There are far too many empty shops in Dudley town centre," she said.

"If the tourism industry could be supported, it would attract more businesses to open."