New team to help to boost tourism in South Yorkshire
A new team is being set up to help promote tourism in South Yorkshire.
The Local Visitor Economy Partnership Advisory Forum will bring together politicians with businesses in the sector and organisations such as Visit England, English Heritage and Arts Council England.
A launch event will be held at Magna in Rotherham on July 24. The recruitment of members will take place over the summer.
The plan was approved at a meeting yesterday (June 4) of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) board in Sheffield. The board brings together mayor Oliver Coppard with leaders of the four South Yorkshire councils.
A report to the board said: “South Yorkshire has a strong visitor economy offer. The offer has grown in recent years with the development of existing destinations along with new destinations across the region.”
The move follows on from Visit England and the government Department for Media, Culture and Sport approving formal Local Visitor Economy Partnership accreditation status for South Yorkshire, the report added.
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The mayoral authority and the four councils are also working on a South Yorkshire destination management plan, as agreed at the board’s March meeting.
The forum will “provide strategic direction and leadership to tourism initiatives which have impact across the South Yorkshire region”, said the report. Its work will include identifying common priorities, themes or issues and solutions, being a stronger and united voice for the local visitor economy in the region and ensuring a joined-up approach on destination management.