Tourism gets boost from industry body accreditation

Tourism in Wiltshire has been given a boost after the county become an accredited member of a scheme aimed at growing the sector.

Wiltshire now has Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEP) status, which gives it access to a range of resources to attract greater footfall.

At the moment, Wiltshire's tourism is worth around £1.5bn annually, with sites such as Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circle, Stourhead, Salisbury Cathedral and the Westbury White Horse among its attractions.

It's new LVEP means it will be included marketing activity and public relations opportunities set up by British tourism authority VisitBritain, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

VisitBritain will also provide VisitWiltshire, Wiltshire's tourism board, with support in applying for funding from the UK government.

Wiltshire's tourism industry supports 28,000 jobs and contributes nine per cent of Wiltshire's total GDP.

The application had to demonstrate funding support from the public sector, which was achieved via finances from Bradford on Avon, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Malmesbury, Pewsey and Trowbridge town councils.

It also had to give evidence of wider public sector support, which Wiltshire Council provided by confirming their strategic support for tourism growth and funding of a new countywide tourism strategy and destination plan.

More than 400 private tourism businesses also backed the application.

David Andrews, chief executive of VisitWiltshire said: "We are delighted that VisitWiltshire have secured national LVEP status.

"This is a major achievement with the potential to unlock new investment, grow tourism spend throughout the year, extend our reach in domestic and international markets, and better support our tourism and hospitality businesses."

Andrew Stokes, director at VisitEngland, said: "The Local Visitor Economy Partnerships programme is transforming the visitor economy in England, supporting its growth in a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable way and I am delighted to welcome VisitWiltshire as the accredited Wiltshire LVEP."

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.