New partnership to highlight tourism in North Somerset

02 Dec 2020

A new partnership between North Somerset Council and Visit Somerset aims to cement North Somerset on the visitor map.

New partnership to highlight tourism in North Somerset

A new partnership between North Somerset Council and Visit Somerset aims to cement North Somerset on the visitor map.

"Prior to coronavirus, tourism in North Somerset was indirectly worth over £373 million and supported around 7,300 jobs," said Cllr Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's executive member whose portfolio includes tourism. "The whole tourism sector has taken an enormous hit because of the pandemic and 75% of businesses surveyed in North Somerset said they will need to make some redundancies."

Cllr Solomon added: "We need to respond to these challenges which is why we are embarking on this partnership with Visit Somerset. This is one of a number of activities being explored in the council's new visitor economy action plan which set out our ambitious plans to support the sector.

"We recognise there are a number of other organisations trying to support the visitor economy in North Somerset but I firmly believe there is more value in working collaboratively across the range of organisations who care about North Somerset’s visitor economy. By working together we can amplify the message about it being a great place to visit and spend leisure time. We’ve already pulled together the Weston Place Agency to ensure there is greater collaboration and co-ordination between the organisations who have in the past curated their own cultural programmes, events and publicity campaigns."

Giles Adams Visit Somerset Chairman said; "We're very pleased to be working with North Somerset Council supporting their destination marketing planning - one of the things we'll be doing is delivering a series of targeted workshops to visitor economy businesses to increase capacity building, productivity, sustainability, levels of accessibility and inclusive growth. This along side digital developments through our multifaceted marketing communications. The partnership will also mean there is a clear offer to people considering holidays in the West of England."

Cllr Solomon said: "We've already got a number of projects in train including launching the North Somerset Film Office to maximise the promotional opportunities created by filming and film tourism; and the Made in North Somerset Marketplace to showcase local produce. Other plans in the pipeline include the North Somerset cultural programme which will deliver a programme of activities aimed at enlivening our town centres and encouraging new audiences.

"North Somerset has so much to offer the visitor and staycationer and we want to make sure people know it!"

Marketing and Communications
Corporate Services
North Somerset Council

Tel:             01275 884 598
Email: nicholas.yates@n-somerset.gov.uk
Post:   Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ
Web:            www.n-somerset.gov.uk

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New partnership to highlight tourism in North Somerset

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