Bournemouth’s tourism industry could be in tatters as three hotels favoured by tourists have been given to asylum seekers as the summer holidays are in full swing.
Home Office officials have taken over 304 rooms across three hotels and there are now grave fears of what the government’s latest move will do to Dorset’s £1.3 billion tourism industry as hundreds of thousands flock to the region annually.
The government’s decision has sparked fury amongst holidaymakers who have paid a lot of money to stay in the popular tourist destination with their young children.
One hotel is situated yards away from a beach which has a jacuzzi, sauna and a swimming pool.
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The Sun was told by one holidaymaker, “It doesn’t sit nicely with me. We’ve spent about £1,200 to come here. Before I came down, my dad made me aware of the asylum hotels.
“I think if you were staying around there you might feel uneasy about it, especially if you have young children.
“I suppose if you start seeing reviews saying that the crime rate around this area is increasing, I think it would be blocking people coming into the area on holiday.”
Susan Beacham a 70-year-old great grandmother told the newspaper, “I don’t think they should be in hotels like that, if they’ve come here illegally.
“That they’re on the seaside makes me cross. It makes me scared to walk around at night when we’ve paid so much to come somewhere nice.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip said, “Bournemouth’s tourist trade is being put at risk by the Government.
“Labour promised to smash the gangs and end hotel use.
“Both promises lie in tatters and Bournemouth – along with the rest of the country – is paying the price for Labour’s massive failures.”
A Government spokesman said, “From over 400 asylum hotels under the previous Government, there are now fewer than 210, and we want them all closed by the end of this Parliament.
