He said the tragic events in Tunisia and continuing economic uncertainty in Greece had forced thousands of people to re-think their summer holiday plans.
And, he said, a well-targeted Government campaign now could bring handsome dividends for the tourism industry in the West Country and elsewhere.
Mr Liddell-Grainger, Conservative MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, stressed he was not suggesting the UK should cash in on other countries’ misfortunes.
“All I am saying is that events in these two countries have thrown thousands of people’s holiday plans into turmoil – and they may well have difficulty making alternative arrangements for overseas holidays at this stage in the season,” he said.
“But now is the time to tell them precisely what is on offer in terms of family holidays in the West Country – which may well be a destination many of them haven’t thought of.
“The numbers of overseas visitors who have been coming to the South West this summer has not only been extraordinary it’s been an indication of how highly people in other countries rate our landscapes, our food and drink and our legendary warm welcome.
“Those are things that British holidaymakers often ignore. This year in particular I believe West Country holidays offer a real, value-for-money and risk-free alternative to overseas travel.”