Region’s tourism industry gets major boost thanks to new strategy

The West of England has been chosen as one 12 hotspots for a new national strategy to promote tourism in the UK.

Under the new approach Visit West will become a Local Visitor Economy Partnership along with Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The scheme means the chosen areas will be able to better support individual tourism attractions and shops that have suffered due to Covid and during the cost-of-living crisis.

The organisations will be able to access more support and training opportunities to find ways to attract new visitors to the region as well as access really important new investment opportunities to help supercharge the tourism trade and help put the region on the map as a “must-visit” destination.

VisitEngland will work closely with LVEPs during the set-up process and beyond, with ongoing support from a team of five new regional development leads.

Kathryn Davis, managing director of Visit West says: “Having worked in destination management for 23 years, I believe the introduction of the LVEP programme is vital to ensure the continued growth and development of the region’s visitor economy.

“We are proud to already be working extensively with VisitEngland and VisitBritain to promote the West of England to domestic and international visitors – especially as the sector began to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.”

And according to Metro Mayor Dan Norris the scheme could create new jobs and bring millions of pounds to the regional economy.

Dan Norris said: “The West of England has got it all – world-famous historical sites, cultural gems, beautiful countryside and much, much more for everyone to explore and so enjoy some truly unique experiences and new adventures – on all budgets.

“ It’s fantastic that our region is a real trailblazer here – Visit West receiving this nationally-recognised status will allow us to further support and boost the hundreds of businesses that make up this region’s brilliant tourism sector.

“With one in ten jobs in the West of England being in the tourism and hospitality trades, it is critical that we go further to develop the West’s tourism offer to residents and tourists alike – and secure the investment we need to go much further to support businesses and jobs across our great region.