Saturday, March 22, 2025 The UK is set to benefit from a £1.35 million funding boost over the next year aimed at enhancing the visitor economies of the North East and West Midlands, attracting more tourists and investment. Announced during English Tourism Week, this funding is aligned with the government’s goal of welcoming 50 million international visitors annually by 2030, as part of the Plan for Change.
Tourism contributes £58 billion to the UK economy and supports millions of jobs nationwide. For continued growth, it is essential for all components of the sector—transportation, accommodation, cultural events, and sporting activities—to work in harmony. To facilitate this, the government has focused on improving destination management across the country, making it easier for regions outside of London to attract longer stays and higher spending from visitors, which in turn brings additional investment to these areas.
As part of this strategy, two regional pilot programs—Destination Development Partnerships (DDPs)—have been launched in the North East and West Midlands to enhance these regions’ appeal as tourist destinations. These pilot programs have shown how a coordinated regional approach can positively impact the visitor economy by attracting investment in attractions, hotels, and transport infrastructure. By focusing on improving visitor experiences, including dining, shopping, and accommodation, these initiatives have helped generate new job opportunities.
