West Yorkshire launches plan to grow multibillion-pound
visitor economy
An ambitious new plan to grow West Yorkshire's multibillion-pound
visitor economy was unveiled by tourism bosses in Leeds today (13
January).
It follows West Yorkshire achieving ‘Local Visitor Economy
Partnership' status from VisitEngland, which is a strategic
partnership between the region's five local authorities, chaired
by Mayor .
The new four-year strategy, developed by the partnership, sets
out how the region aims to build a better and more productive
visitor economy, attracting more visitors and inward investment
to drive growth, create jobs and help businesses thrive.
It comes as Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 kicked off its
landmark year on the world stage this weekend, with a year of
culture expected to attract over 15 million people and £130
million of visitor spend in the economy, supporting the creation
of 7,000 new jobs.
, Mayor of West Yorkshire,
said:
“This is going to be a truly iconic year for West Yorkshire,
with Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 acting as a beacon to
attract millions of people from around the world to our
region.
“This is just the start for West Yorkshire. With our bold
plan, we're going to build on our heritage to create a brighter
future, ensuring these visitors come back for many more years to
come.
“We're harnessing the legacy of this once in a generation
opportunity, creating more opportunities through partnership and
public investment, and driving forward our ambition for growth in
a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
Andrew Stokes OBE, VisitEngland Director, said:
“Great destinations are great places to live and work as well
as to visit and strong governance can drive place-shaping and
shift local and wider perceptions of the place which can
contribute to local pride.
"Well run destinations can also attract new investment,
increase income and create new jobs, and this new ambitious
strategy for West Yorkshire will be central to achieving
that.
"At VisitEngland, we look forward to continuing to work with
the West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership, their
board, and their partners, to help realise the ambitions set out
in this four year growth strategy.”
The new ‘Destination Management Plan' outlines how West Yorkshire
will build on its strengths to attract more visitors, by
collaboratively promoting its vibrant cities, rural landscapes,
national museums, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at Saltaire, and
by continuing to harness the rise in film and television
productions set in the region.
Investment into new initiatives, and the development of new
national cultural institutions like British Library North, The
National Poetry Centre and Brit School North are also expected to
turbocharge opportunities for the region.
In 2023, West Yorkshire welcomed 71 million people to the region,
adding £5.77 billion to the local economy and supporting 52,412
full time jobs.
To download the new ‘West Yorkshire Destination Management Plan',
visit: https://www.visitleeds.co.uk/west-yorkshire-lvep
Notes to editors
Launch Event: West Yorkshire Destination Management
Plan
Date: Monday 13th January
2025
Time: 5pm –
7pm followed by refreshments and networking
Venue: Pearl Suite, Royal
Armouries, Leeds
Tickets: Please register your attendance via
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/west-yorkshire-destination-management-plan-launch-event-tickets-1104506441499
Information:
West Yorkshire's ‘Destination Management Plan' sets out the
ambitions to increase the awareness and appeal of the region as a
destination, develop product and places, and collaborate to grow
the region's £5.77 billion visitor economy.
Everyone with an interest in the West Yorkshire Visitor Economy
is welcome to attend the launch event.
Keynote speakers and a panel of industry experts will discuss
ways in which the plan will support their work, and what
actionable steps can be taken to help create a thriving and
welcoming visitor economy.
Speakers and panellists:
-
, Mayor of West Yorkshire
- Andrew Stokes, England Director, Visit England.
- Vincent Hodder, Chief Executive, Leeds Bradford Airport
- Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director, UK City of Culture Bradford
2025
- Lee Brooks, Chief Executive, Production Park
- Peter Murray, Founding Director, Yorkshire Sculpture Park
- Nicky Chance Thompson, CEO, The Piece Hall Trust
- Caroline Cooper Charles, CEO, Screen Yorkshire
- Olivia Colling, Assistant Director, The Hepworth Wakefield
This has been sent on behalf of the West Yorkshire Combined
Authority and Mayor of West Yorkshire.
