North Yorkshire Council has unveiled a new strategy aimed at boosting the visitor economy in the county. With the sector bringing in over £1.5 billion per year from domestic visits alone, the council is keen to support the tens of thousands of workers employed in this vital industry. The strategy also seeks to attract a wider range of visitors and will be coordinated through a new destination management plan.
As part of the strategy’s development, a series of workshops and events will be held throughout August, including sessions in Skipton, Leyburn, Ripon, Whitby, Harrogate, Selby, Richmond, Scarborough, and Pickering. These events aim to gather information, views, and input from key organizations and enterprises involved in the visitor economy.
Councillor Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, emphasized the importance of the visitor economy to the county and expressed a commitment to supporting the sector while attracting more visitors to the region.
The consultation process for the draft destination management plan involves engagement with local tourism businesses. The plan aims to understand their priorities and aspirations for the industry, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by North Yorkshire’s visitor economy.
Furthermore, a survey was conducted earlier this year to gain a better understanding of industry views on topics such as accommodation, attractions, food and drink, festivals and events, heritage and culture, landscape and countryside, towns and villages, access and transportation, and visitor services.
To bolster their efforts, North Yorkshire Council is preparing a bid to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to establish a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), which would involve both the private and public sectors. The submission of this bid is scheduled for September, and it is hoped that the destination management plan will help secure additional investment from the government and other partnership organizations.
Tourism plays a significant role in North Yorkshire’s economy, accounting for 11% of the county’s overall economic activity. Moreover, the sector employs approximately 41,200 people, highlighting its importance for employment in the region.
The workshops and events in August will shape the strategy, which is set to be considered by both North Yorkshire Council’s executive and full council later this year.
North Yorkshire has long been known for its attractions and natural beauty, making it a popular destination for domestic visitors. With this new strategy, the council hopes to enhance the visitor economy, appeal to a more diverse range of visitors, and ensure that North Yorkshire remains a wonderful place to explore and enjoy.
