Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP)
Local authorities will join two of the Midlands’ leading tourism bodies and key stakeholders to form a collaborative partnership which will map out a long-term blueprint to grow Coventry and Warwickshire’s national and international profile.
The partnership is being created with Destination Coventry,Shakespeare's England, and Warwickshire County Council, alongside local authority stakeholders Coventry City Council, Stratford District Council, Warwick District Council, Rugby Borough Council, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, and North Warwickshire Borough Council to ensure coverage across Coventry and Warwickshire.
The new partnership has been formed under the new Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) framework, which was developed and administered by VisitEngland because of the government’s response to the independent de Bois Review of Destination Management Organisations in England, with the overarching aim of supporting and growing the visitor economy.
The model will enable organisations to work together with local authority stakeholders to ensure that the region’s tourism community has a powerful voice at national level, with both VisitEngland and the government, when it comes to shaping future policies and for all visitor economy priorities.
It will also support Coventry and Warwickshire to lay the foundations for potential future investment to develop the region’s offering, with LVEPs eligible for future grant funding, shared destination marketing opportunities, and access to data-rich research projects to help inform future decision making.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes explains the role “Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) are at the heart of transforming the visitor economy landscape in England and we are delighted to welcome the Coventry & Warwickshire Destination Partnership onto the programme.
“We look forward to continuing our close collaboration as the LVEP is established, providing ongoing support including a dedicated VisitEngland regional development lead.
“Having the right national and local infrastructure in place to grow our visitor economy, in an inclusive, accessible and sustainable way, will ensure England continues to be a compelling destination for both domestic and international visitors.”
The LVEP will continue to work with local partnerships through the DMOs and Warwickshire County Council who will remain the operational arm of the Destination Management Plan. The destination management organisations will retain their marketing and web content and Visit Warwickshire will continue to provide quality thematic content, suggested itineraries, and towns content, which will appeal to various markets including Warwickshire residents. This ensures an opportunity exists, for towns to link up with the strategic visitor offer of the region.
Enquiries can be directed to towns@warwickshire.gov.uk.
Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub
Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub is a government supported organisation, which offers one-to-one advice and ongoing support to businesses in the region.
Providing a ‘front-door’ to the vast range of business support initiatives and programmes on offer locally and nationally, our experienced team of business advisors work closely with local SMEs to identify the best resources for each business and, since launching in 2014, has helped thousands of Coventry and Warwickshire businesses to:
- access funding and grants
- connect with major buying organisations
- increase production
- search for new business premises
- access training & skills programmes
- recruit and advertise job vacancies
- access startup support.
National quality assessment
A quality rating provides an independent assessment of what a guest can expect. It enables businesses to demonstrate their commitment to quality and differentiate themselves from their competitors.
Quality accreditation is available for all types of tourism businesses, including accommodation, visitor attractions and more.
There are several national quality schemes operating in the UK. Visit England, the national tourist board promotes a national accreditation scheme, delivered by the AA. Further details can be found at the Visit Britain website.
Visit Warwickshire
We’re a county of literary greats, of culinary brilliance and iconic heritage. We’re also a place for an unforgettable short break or relaxing day out. Whatever your business, Warwickshire is waiting for you.
Find out more about Warwickshire
Warwickshire Food and Drink
Warwickshire is home to an abundance of high-quality produce, artisan makers and irresistible food and drink experiences.
Warwickshire’s food and drink sector generates over £300m for the local visitor economy and the Warwickshire Food and Drink Programme aims to support this important sector, through the creation of strong local peer support networks, industry events and business support.
Find out more about Warwickshire Food and Drink
Local Destination Management Organisations
Joining can have many benefits – as well as being able to market your business more effectively by inclusion in websites, visitor guides and other advertising material, there is also the benefit of networking and sharing expertise with other members.