The bodies responsible for promoting and supporting the visitor economy in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have worked together to be awarded national status.
Visit Cornwall working in collaboration with the Islands Partnership is one of 15 new Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) to be announced this week by Visit England.
As the local and national visitor economy re-sets itself for post-pandemic growth, LVEPs will be a core function to provide coordinated working, access to funding and skills support.
The benefits the LVEP will bring are essential in ensuring the tourism sector has the support it requires to meet the expectations of the new era, as well as enabling the visitor economy to meet the challenges of the trading environment.
Malcolm Bell, executive chair of Visit Cornwall, said: “This week’s announcement by Visit England reconfirms Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as a stand-alone premier destination.
“Visit Cornwall lead the submission working with our partners as we were keen to become one of the first LVEPs. It gives the partnership significant benefits with national status, as the tourism sector body for Cornwall, and makes us a nationally approved partner with Visit England.
“It will give us the opportunity to work more closely with Visit England and Visit Britain to promote and support our visitor economy, and it also provides opportunities for funding and skills support to help the sector.”
LVEPs are a part of the Government’s response to the recommendations of The de Bois Review (2021): An Independent Review of Destination Marketing Organisations in England.
The report recognised that collaborative working, at both strategic and operational levels nationally and locally, is essential to deliver growth, improve skills and provide greater productivity in the visitor economy. It will also greatly aid the Duchy’s ambitions to become a global leader in low carbon tourism.
Euan Rodger, executive vice chair of The Islands Partnership and member of the Council for the Isles of Scilly, added: “The LVEP is extremely positive for the Isles of Scilly tourism sector. The collaborative working and opportunities it will provide will help ensure we have the tools we need to support our vital visitor economy.
“Our unique and stunning environment is the jewel of our island offering, but being remote islands, it is imperative that we constantly promote and market this unique offer to Britain and the world. The LVEP will ensure we can build for a stronger future.”
Councillor Linda Taylor, Leader of Cornwall Council, commented: “I’m delighted that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been selected by Visit England as one of 15 new Local Visitor Economy Partnerships.
“This was one of the elements of the proposed Cornwall Devolution Deal, so I’m pleased that the Cabinet’s decision not to proceed with the Deal hasn’t impacted on Visit England’s selection process. This positive announcement will help Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly increase domestic and international visitor spend and encourage visits throughout the year rather than just during the traditional tourist season.”
