What a year it’s been for Cheltenham! Despite continuing national and global challenges, Cheltenham has performed well and maintained its place as one of the most popular towns to visit in the region, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors and hosting hundreds of events.
Marketing Cheltenham is the official tourism body for the town, working closely with VisitEngland and regional tourism partners. The team have been extremely busy this year working to support businesses and promote the town to residents and visitors. Here’s just a flavour of some of the projects and activities we have delivered in 2022:
We promoted Cheltenham to thousands of potential visitors through the Escape the Everyday campaign with Visit Gloucester, funded by Visit England, which had millions of impressions online and in print including outdoor adverts in Birmingham and Bristol.
We supported the delivery and promotion of a packed calendar of festivals and events, inviting many thousands of people to the town and showcasing the best of what Cheltenham has to offer.
We have continued to see business growth in Cheltenham, and the team have promoted the opening of many new businesses, including independent retailers, big name brands, and food from around the world.
Our team attended two national exhibitions (CHS Leeds and Birmingham) to promote meeting and conference venues in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds speaking to hundreds of event bookers and tour organisers, raising the profile of Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.
Marketing Cheltenham was represented at the Destination Britain North America trade show promoting Cheltenham and the wider region to potential visitors from Canada and North America, an important visitor audience for the region.
The team have produced and shared over 150 blog posts and 14 comprehensive Cheltenham weekend itineraries showcasing the best of what our Regency town has to offer. The Visit Cheltenham website remains the leading online destination to find out what to do and what’s on in Cheltenham, with 2 million page views in 2022 and coming first or second in all key search terms for visitors to the town.
We welcomed 10 new members to the Marketing Cheltenham family to take advantage of the comprehensive package of promotional opportunities and business support. Thanks to all our members and partners for continuing to support the work we do, and for sharing your opportunities and content so that we can continue to support what you do! One of the team will be in touch with everyone in the New Year to make sure you’re maximising your benefits.
It’s been a busy but successful year and the team are looking forward to a very exciting 2023, with plans including more national and international promotion of the town, big name and grassroots festivals and cultural activities, and of course everyone is working hard on the return of the popular ice rink next Christmas. We will also be working closely with VisitEngland and regional tourism partners on the national review of tourism provision and we will keep you updated on this.
The team will be taking some time off over the Christmas break but will be monitoring social media during this time and we will make sure we share key updates and ideas for things to do during the rest of the season.
We hope you all have a successful and happy festive period and we will look forward to working with you again in 2023.
Best wishes,
Helen, Lisa, Stuart & Tara
The Marketing Cheltenham team
Marketing Cheltenham 