VisitEngland reveals new marketing campaigns ahead of English Tourism Week 2013

At the World Travel Market in London’s ExCel yesterday, VisitEngland revealed details of the campaigns, which will cover the four themes of countryside, heritage, culture and coastal and will run in partnership with destinations across the country.

They are funded by £2m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF), providing cost-effective opportunity for English destinations to push for more domestic visitors in 2013, following a bumper 2012 filled with a number of once-in-a-lifetime events.

Stimulate tourism

“The RGF money is a huge boost for tourism in England,” said VisitEngland’s chief executive James Berresford. “This project enables our public and private sector partners to work together to stimulate tourism and ultimately grow jobs throughout the country.

“It’s not too late for  destinations throughout England to get on board with whichever campaign best fits their tourism offering, providing a real boost at a local level.”

The new campaigns were also welcomed by the new sport and Tourism Minister Hugh Robertson who, speaking at the World Travel Market yesterday, said: “Tourism is a vibrant, important industry that contributes significantly to economic growth. This investment from the Regional Growth Fund will encourage such partnerships at a local level, bringing in additional tourist spend, helping to create jobs and building on the success of London 2012.”  

The marketing activity is phase two of a three-year investment project called ‘Growing Tourism Locally’. Funded by £19.8m from the RGF, the project aims to generate £365m in additional tourism spend over the three years and inspires more Britons to take more holidays at home. The project should also help to stimulate employment to grow jobs in the tourism sector by 9,100 over the three years.

English Tourism Week 2013

Meanwhile, VisitEngland is calling on the hospitality industry to get involved in English Tourism Week 2013. The inaugural event in March saw over 500 special activities and promotions celebrating tourism in England, and the national tourist board is hoping that next year’s festivities - taking place from 16-24 March - will be even bigger.

Chairman of English Tourism Week, David Curtis-Brignell, said: “English Tourism Week 2013 is the perfect opportunity to harness this ‘feel-good factor’, and promote an industry that is worth £97bn to the economy and employs over two million people.

“Whether you run a business such as a bed and breakfast, visitor attraction or restaurant, or work for a trade body or destination management organisation, English Tourism Week is a great way to kick off your 2013 holiday season.”

For more information and how to participate, visit www.englishtourismweek.co.uk