Stratford-on-Avon District Council welcomes the exciting news that Shakespeare's England is partnering with Destination Coventry to form the Coventry & Warwickshire Destination Partnership.
The new partnership has been formed under the new Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) framework, which was developed and administered by VisitEngland as a result of the government's response to the independent de Bois Review of Destination Management Organisations in England, with the overarching aim of supporting and growing the visitor economy.
It will see both organisations working together strategically with local authorities to ensure that Coventry and Warwickshire's tourism community has a powerful voice at national level regarding future policies.
It will also help with potential future investment to develop the region's offering, with LVEPs eligible for future grant funding, shared destination marketing opportunities, and access to data-rich research projects to help inform future decision making.
Cllr George Cowcher, Planning and Economic Development Portfolio at Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "This is great news for our visitor economy with the formation of the Coventry & Warwickshire Destination Partnership. By joining VisitEngland's Local Visitor Economy Partnerships this will help protect the future of our tourism scene on a local, regional and international level, which is so important for our local economy, whilst retaining our world-renowned Shakespeare brand."
- The Coventry & Warwickshire Destination Partnership was formed after both Destination Coventry and Shakespeare's England applied for LVEP status, which is supported by Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, Stratford District Council, Rugby Borough Council, and Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council.
- Both Shakespeare's England and Destination Coventry will remain as separate brands, with a focus on working together in partnership to capitalise on opportunities that will benefit members and the wider region.
- Shakespeare's England was formed in 2012 and is a not-for-profit public and private membership organisation, supported by Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Councils.
- Destination Coventry, which launched in 2021, includes the brands Visit Coventry and Conference Coventry & Warwickshire. It is a collaboration between Coventry City Council and Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
