Nottinghamshire County Council and tourism board sign partnership to help ‘supercharge’ visitor economy in Nottinghamshire

A landmark partnership deal has been struck for in order to help promote Nottinghamshire’s tourism offer to a wider audience.

Nottinghamshire County Council and the region’s official place marketing organisation, Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have made an 18-month deal which will see Visit Nottinghamshire promoting the county’s tourism, hospitality and events offer.

The council has also officially backed Visit Nottinghamshire’s ambition to gain Local Visitor Economy Partnership accreditation from Visit England — with an application made this week.

This accreditation would boost Visit Nottinghamshire’s commitment to providing effective local leadership, promotion and governance in the tourism sector of the region.

The move could be hugely beneficial for the county, with benefits such as access to specialist training, expert advice, and toolkits, as well as support on government bids for funding.

Latest visitor economy annual data reveals that tourism is worth more than £2.05bn to the local economy, with almost 33m visitors to the county and city combined.

Keith Girling, cabinet member for economic development and asset management, said: “This is a positive move for Nottinghamshire’s visitor economy.

“It strengthens our position to showcase the whole of the county and what it has to offer, especially with plans for devolution.

“Visit Nottinghamshire, as the lead destination management organisation for the area, is best positioned to promote the county at a local, regional, and international level and attract visitors.

“By working in partnership, including with other councils and stakeholders in the city and county, we will continue to build momentum and create a thriving visitor economy."

Visit Nottinghamshire will work closely with the county council, Nottingham City Council and district and borough councils to develop a destination management plan.

This new partnership will further support the council’s visitor economy framework, which was created last year and based on feedback from industry and partners.

The framework aims to give Nottinghamshire an even stronger identity when promoting the county as a unique place to visit, with six main themes:

• Making even more of the global brand of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest
• The county’s fascinating history and heritage
• Green and active – making the most of the county’s countryside and green spaces
• Local produce and crafts
• Sport as a spectacle
• Contemporary culture

Chief executive of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Megan Powell Vreeswijk, added: “We’re very proud to be entering into this partnership with the county council.

“We’ve been working closely with them, and this is the next strategic step in our relationship.

“This new partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to growing our visitor economy.

“We’re looking forward to working with the county council to attract more visitors into the region, increasing the economic impact of tourism and showcasing the very best that Nottinghamshire has to offer.”

The council has invested £150,000 into the 18-month deal.