BASC reassures UK tourists over Brexit

BASC has been telling visitors to Europe’s biggest indoor hunting and shooting show that Britain is still open for business despite the uncertainty of Brexit. The UK’s largest shooting organisation shared a stand with FACE at the week-long Jagd & Hund event in Dortmund, Germany. The annual show attracts hunting and shooting tourists from around the world and visitors last year spent in excess of 47 million euros. Garry Doolan, BASC’s deputy director of communications and public affairs, said: “We have been explaining that the UK is very much still open for business no matter what people may fear could be the aftermath of Brexit. “There are a good number of UK companies at the show and many are selling hunting and shooting trips to iconic destinations like Scotland. “Shooting tourism is vital to many of the UK’s fragile rural economies. It is estimated that more than four million visitor-nights are generated by shooting every year while shooting directly supports the equivalent of 5,200 full-time jobs in the food and accommodation sector. “It’s quite understandable that there is uncertainty around Brexit but BASC is delivering the message to the heart of the European hunting and shooting community that they should still make those bookings.” Cara Richardson, a BASC council member and sporting agent in Scotland, said: “Jagd & Hund traditionally provides a crucial revenue stream for many shooting and hunting-related businesses in the UK."