We are delighted to share that Cotswolds Plus received accreditation as the new Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for the region – one of seven new LVEPs announced – last week.
Chaired by Cotswolds National Landscape Board, Cotswolds Plus is a collaboration between all the local destination management organisations (Cotswolds Tourism, Marketing Cheltenham, Visit Gloucester, Visit Dean Wye and Visit Gloucestershire) with Cotswolds Tourism as the lead organisation.
Cotswolds Plus is not a consumer facing brand but will work ‘behind the scenes’ to shape and deliver national strategy and activities, and bring a coordinated approach on key issues such as sustainability, business support and research. There are eight workstreams, each led by one of the partner organisations.
In other areas, such as marketing, the participating DMOs will continue to work independently, but the closer working arrangements should bring additional cross-over benefits here too. Membership and working directly with your relevant local DMO will continue as before.
Tourism is so important for Cheltenham. Almost 2 million people visit the town every year, generating around £122million in visitor spend – particularly within our fantastic hospitality industry. We must do all we can to promote those businesses alongside the many internationally renowned festivals to ensure our town continues to be prosperous.
That’s why I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to form an even stronger partnership with our neighbours to speak with a more powerful collective voice in supporting the visitor economy.”
Councillor Max Wilkinson, Cabinet Member Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
The introduction of LVEPs is part of the government response to the Nick De Bois review of tourism: a new national structure for tourism being introduced subject to a successful pilot project currently happening in the North East of England. VisitEngland & DCMS are looking to accredit around 40 LVEPs across England. The first 15 were announced in March followed by seven more, including Cotswolds Plus, in July.
Nationally, all VisitEngland expertise, training and grant funding programmes will be channelled through the accredited LVEPs. Regionally, Cotswolds Plus will facilitate closer working and collaboration with neighbouring LVEPs, and locally will strengthen existing working arrangements amongst the partner DMOs, leading to better coordination and less duplication of effort.
If any business is keen to learn more about the new LVEP please contact [email protected]
Marketing Cheltenham 