A meeting has been held between representatives of the tourism sector and an MP to discuss the challenges they face.

Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil, met with the South West Hotelier Group (SWHG) at Lanes Hotel in West Coker to discuss the state of the leisure and tourism sector in the region.

The SWHG consists of privately owned small to medium-sized hotels across the South West.

During the meeting, hotel owners highlighted the importance of collaboration between stakeholders, such as local councils, tourism organisations, and MPs, to promote the South West beyond the traditional focus on Devon and Cornwall.

The recent budget announced by the chancellor was also discussed, with hoteliers warning of its potential to cause business closures, job losses, and the cancellation of key investment and capital expenditure projects due to rising costs and economic pressures.

Mr Dance said: "The leisure and tourism industry is the backbone of our local economy, supporting jobs, businesses, and communities across Yeovil and South Somerset.

"It’s clear from today’s discussions that hotel owners are facing enormous challenges, but they are also full of innovative ideas for promoting the South West and driving tourism."

The MP committed to working with industry representatives to ensure their concerns are heard in Parliament.

He also announced his intention to apply to join the All Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism.

Mr Dance added: "We must take action to address the impact of rising costs and create the conditions for businesses to thrive."

Shaun Whitehouse, director at the Lanes Hotel, expressed gratitude on behalf of the SWHG.

He said: "On behalf of the SWHG, I would like to thank Adam for his time.

"It is clear that he understands the very real challenges facing hospitality.

"Despite significant head winds, we are a resilient breed and are very focused on finding positive initiatives to grow tourism in the South Somerset/Dorset areas.

"We can only achieve this with a buy-in from all stakeholders."

Mr Dance will continue to work closely with the SWHG and other local stakeholders to champion the region’s leisure and tourism industry.