The destination management organisation for the West of England has been awarded Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) accreditation by the national tourism agency, VisitEngland.
VisitWest, which represents businesses in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire hopes to provide stronger leadership for the region, as it shapes and delivers strategies to promote tourism for the South West. The accreditation has been awarded in a bid to reshape destination management across the country into a more cohesive structure.
Awarded to 12 destinations in this first round VisitEngland aims to maximise the potential of local visitor economy in the region, which pre-pandemic supported 45,000 jobs and is worth £2.33b.
The creation of the LVEP programme is in response to the UK Government’s independent review of Destination Management Organisations carried out by Nick de Bois, chair of the British Tourist Authority in autumn 2021, which recommended a more efficient and effective model for supporting English tourism at a regional level.
Kathryn Davis, managing director of Visit West said: “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 – through the funding we received for their 'Escape the Everyday' campaigns, for example."
Andrew Stokes, England director at VisitEngland added: “VisitEngland is delighted to welcome onto the programme the new LVEPs, who will play a central role in transforming the visitor economy in England in an inclusive, accessible and sustainable way. Ensuring we have the right national and local infrastructure in place to grow our visitor economy will ensure England continues to be a compelling destination, for both domestic and international visitors, for years to come.”
The tourist board has also partnered with the investment body West Midlands Growth Company to create a similar platform, Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), giving destinations a voice at national level.
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