Leicester Shire Promotions updates local tourism businesses at annual Tourism Forum at Sketchley Grange Hotel & Spa on 23 February 2017.
Over 90 delegates from tourism businesses throughout Leicester and Leicestershire attended this year’s Leicestershire Tourism Forum at Sketchley Grange Hotel & Spa in Hinckley on 23 February 2017.
At the forum, the tourist board for Leicester and Leicestershire – Leicester Shire Promotions, provided updates on the successes, highlights and opportunities for the local tourism industry. Delegates from visitor attractions, accommodation providers, retailers, food and drink outlets, festival and event organisers, heard how the Leicester and Leicestershire visitor economy was growing with highlights including:
- The value of tourism to Leicestershire in 2015 increased to over £1.67 billion
- Over 1,800 new jobs have been created in the last four years
- In the accommodation sector, occupancy was up 9 per cent, Average Daily Rate (ADR) up by £21 to £66, and Revenue per available room (RevPAR) was up by £21 to £54 over the last five years
- Stay Play Explore short break campaign has generated an average of 22,500 bednights per year for past five years
Chas Bishop, Chairman of Leicester Shire Promotions said: “We had a broad spread of delegates, representing businesses from across the local tourism sector. Feedback on the day indicated that most businesses attending had showed growth over the last five years. Several factors were cited for this growth including new attractions opening, promotional activity, profile of local sporting success, TripAdvisor and online offers.”
Delegates also heard case studies about how Loughborough BID helped local businesses over its first five years, on collaborative working for the Melton Mowbray events strategy, explaining how Stay Play Explore became such a successful UK short break campaign, and how tourism businesses could find out how they could get involved with bidding for funding.
Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions added: “The latest figures for the value and volume of tourism in Leicester and Leicestershire have shown that we’re punching above our weight as a destination, above or on par with many UK destinations of a similar size and profile. We’re also a key destination for job creation.
“With the physical infrastructure projects, tourism development and promotional work under way, there are real grounds for confidence in how the industry will grow and develop in future years and Leicester Shire Promotions and its partners will be central to this.”
Paul Noble, General Manager at Sketchley Grange Hotel & Spa, said: “We were delighted to welcome everyone to Sketchley Grange Hotel for the Leicestershire Tourism Forum – we were really pleased with the turnout at the event and it proved to be a big hit with local business across the travel and tourism sector.
“It was the perfect opportunity for visitors to network with potential partners, while taking part in the many workshops on offer throughout the afternoon.”
