Andrew Stokes, director of VisitEngland is keen to highlight the fantastic options on our doorstep, and looks ahead to some major events in 2023.
We have an outstanding tourism offer here on our doorstep. From contemporary culture in our vibrant cities to our stunning coastlines and seaside destinations; from our heritage, countryside and adventure tourism to our outstanding B&Bs and self-catering accommodation, consistently rated as some of the best in the world.
Our annual VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which we were delighted to hold in person at the Library of Birmingham in 2022, are testament to the outstanding innovation, quality and customer service excellence thriving across our tourism landscape.
It has been great to see many of us have been choosing to explore closer to home. We also know from destinations across England that 2022 overall has been a mixed picture for many areas. Concerns about the rising cost of living are clear from our research, highlighting the challenges in extending the season in a year when businesses need that autumn and winter revenue and many are still rebuilding from the pandemic.
VisitEngland’s focus has been on providing timely and targeted business support to industry, from our Destination Management Organisation Marketing Recovery Fund to developing tools and resources on our Business Advice Hub, including on accessibility and sustainability, to trade initiatives such as the ‘Taking England to the World’ programme.
Looking ahead to 2023, we will again be supporting English Tourism Week, running from 18th-27th March, highlighting tourism’s economic importance and promoting businesses and destinations to boost domestic breaks.
Major events in 2023 including the coronation of King Charles III in May, with an additional Bank Holiday also now announced, and Liverpool (pictured top) hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, on behalf of Ukraine, also in May, present timely and valuable opportunities to promote our welcome, creativity and innovation to the world, and ability to host events of the highest calibre.
We know there is pent-up demand for travel and our research shows that exploring Britain’s history and heritage is the top motivator for international travellers keen to visit this year, closely followed by visiting its iconic attractions.
We also continue to deliver our statutory role to provide expert advice and insights to industry and to the UK Government, and to making the strongest possible case for tourism, an industry that can deliver growth like no other.
Andrew Stokes,
Director, VisitEngland
For more information head to www.visitengland.com.
This comment is from the 2023 edition of Who’s Who in Group Leisure. Posted to thousands of our readers it is also available online for everyone by clicking here.
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