THE SOUTH WEST VISITOR ECONOMY

Background:

The Great South West Tourism region is the largest single tourism region outside of London in England, comprising of the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Plymouth, Torbay, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset. The Great South West Tourism Partnership (GSWTP) is an inclusive, equitable alliance that brings together the strength, knowledge and expertise of the leading DMO, LVEPs and tourism organisations in the Greater South West Area.

Our vision:

Together we can create a balanced and regenerative visitor economy that delivers significant benefits for people, place and the planet year-round. Our key objectives are to grow the SW visitor economy economic impact to £13.4 billion by 2030 supporting 186,140 jobs. We will do this by:

  • Grow Visitor Spend – Create new growth by pivoting the visitor economy from day to stay
  • Spread the Benefits – Spreading visitors across the wider region for more local income and greener benefits
  • Create a Year-round Economic Driver – Develop and present a year-round offer, attracting across the seasons

The ambitious plans of the Great South West Tourism Partnership are broadly split across four key areas:

  • Positive impact on People, Place and Planet – protecting our extraordinary natural environment, building a circular economy showcasing our incredible food and drink, working with local communities, developing local talent and working towards a regenerative visitor economy
  • To be the most welcoming destination in the UK – accessible, inclusive, easy to explore, responsive to changing needs and new markets, creating exceptional memories and compelling reasons to return
  • Improving Productivity – developing a year-round economy with year-round employment that provides communities with access to world-class facilities, growing investment in our regional growth sectors through a targeted business events approach
  • The leading destination in the UK – a high-quality experience, at the forefront of digital innovation, agile and responsive, achieving Destination Development Partnership status. The GSWTP will use innovative approaches to address seasonality, build resilience and reach new audiences, as well increasing opportunities.

*GSWTR Cambridge model 2022 data

For more information about the Great South West Tourism Partnership please contact: