Verstehen
Evaluating the prospects of East Midlands mayor Claire Ward's new tourism scheme
Überblick
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward has launched 'Visit East Midlands', a new initiative aimed at boosting the visitor economies of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire by £1bn over the next decade. The scheme seeks to turn fleeting visits into longer stays and increase overnight visits from eight million to 12 million annually by 2035. However, the plan faces scrutiny over a proposed tourist levy of up to 5% on overnight stays planned for 2028, concerns regarding an uneven playing field with surrounding areas, and skepticism about whether the ambitious economic targets are realistic.
Wichtige Punkte
- East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward launched the 'Visit East Midlands' scheme to harness the tourism potential of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
- The initiative aims to increase the visitor economies of the two counties by £1bn over the next decade and raise overnight stays to 12 million a year by 2035.
- The mayor plans to introduce a levy of up to 5% on overnight stays in 2028 to fund local services and marketing.
- Trade body UKHospitality, along with Conservative and Reform UK politicians, has warned that the levy could put jobs at risk and act as a holiday tax.
- Concerns have been raised regarding an uneven playing field, as surrounding areas within the broader East Midlands are not part of Ward's patch and will not levy the charge.
- The region features prominent attractions such as the Peak District, Chatsworth House, Wollaton Hall, and major sporting venues.