Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) Programme

VisitEngland is creating a portfolio of nationally supported, strategic and high-performing Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs). These LVEPs will provide strong local leadership and governance in tourism destinations all over the country.

The new LVEPs work in collaboration locally, regionally and nationally on shared priorities and targets. Their mission is to support and grow the visitor economy through robust destination management, strong stakeholder relationships and clear planning.

The LVEP Programme is one of the key recommendations in the UK Government’s response to the de Bois Review of destination management. We worked in close consultation with DMOs to develop the initiative, holding a series of roundtables across England in autumn 2022 with more than 100 participants.

In April 2024, 3 new LVEPs were announced these were Visit Herefordshire, Visit Nottinghamshire and Devon and partners. They joined the programme alongside 30 existing LVEPs. Two DDP pilot regions are also in place in North East England and the West Midlands. The pilots are a valuable opportunity to prove the DDP concept, and the impact that the model can have on growing the visitor economy, strengthening the case for future funding.

Strategy

Develop a strong national strategic relationship between LVEPs, VisitEngland, the Department for Culture Media and Sport and wider government and national agencies.

 

Stability

Ensure stability and resilience through increased income generation, diversifying funding streams, robust destination management and diverse governance.

Growth

Join up local visitor economy growth priorities and activities with those at national level, setting clear targets and driving high performance. There will be a strong emphasis on sustainability and accessibility, growing business support and working on approaches to data.

Place-shaping

Provide a significant role in place shaping and economic development, generating better outcomes for visitors, the environment, communities and businesses, through building influential relationships with local government and businesses.

Training

Develop skills and expertise in LVEP teams through access to training opportunities, and the wider sector and SMEs through a more targeted business support offer.

Destination Development Partnerships (DDPs)

DDPs will set regional priorities for the visitor economy and receive government funding to focus on key objectives. Currently DDPs are being piloted in two areas: the North East of England and the West Midlands.

Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs)

LVEPs lead, market and manage their destinations in their geography. They are currently being rolled out by VisitEngland; there will eventually be around 40 LVEPs across England.

Destination Organisations

Destination Organisations will sit below county or city region level. They will contribute to management and marketing, and work with LVEPs to ensure local priorities are represented in the Destination Management Plan (DMP).

Learn more about the DMO Review and the vision for England’s tourism management.

Benefits of joining the LVEP Programme

LVEPs work closely with us at VisitEngland, with ongoing support from a team of five new Regional Development Leads.

As well as having nationally recognised status, LVEPs provide strong leadership and management of their destinations. They will help to shape and deliver national strategy and activities. Their important role is promoted across government and national agencies, ensuring the local visitor economy is an active and valued contributor to Levelling Up and the wider economy.

LVEPs are able to access expert advice, specialist toolkits and training programmes from us in areas ranging from commercialisation, distribution, accessibility and sustainability to business support and marketing.

An important strand of support will be highlighting available Government funding streams as well as developing and providing a ‘toolkit’ to help LVEPs with bids to those streams.