14 January 2009
£20m funding package for Northwest tourism industry
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) today announced
a £20.6 million funding package for the region’s tourism industry,
which will ensure that the region’s five sub-regional tourist
boards are in a strong position to support tourism businesses
during the current economic climate.
The funding has been allocated to Cumbria Tourism, the
Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, Marketing Manchester, the
Mersey Partnership and Visit Chester and Cheshire and will enable
each tourist board to maintain the lead in developing and promoting
the visitor economy in their area.
Each tourist board will work to support opportunities for growth
in the visitor economy and to create high-quality, high-value
visitor experiences. Investment in training programmes, visitor
information, product development and marketing activity will help
ensure that the region’s tourism industry is well placed to face
ongoing economic challenges.
The NWDA is committed to supporting and developing the tourism
sector in the Northwest and the five tourist boards are primary
delivery partners for the Agency, helping to deliver the Regional
Tourism Strategy.
James Berresford, Director of Tourism at the NWDA, said:
“The current economic climate will inevitably have an impact on
the tourism industry, which is why it is now more important than
ever for us to continue to invest in the region’s tourism
offer. The NWDA is committed to supporting the region’s
visitor economy and this investment will ensure a strong climate of
support for tourism during these challenging times.
“If we continue to invest in infrastructure, training, marketing
our unique offer and, above all, maintain a quality,
value-for-money visitor experience, the Northwest can continue to
develop its competitive advantage and capitalise on the increasing
trend to holiday at home.”
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For further information please contact Helen Batte, Tourism Press
Officer on 01925 400235 or 07764 239856 or Helen.Batte@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view all press releases visit us
at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life