The five successful bids together receive more than £800,000 in the third year of the Fund.
VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said:
“The diverse projects funded through the Discover England Fund are enhancing the English tourism landscape, bringing market driven products to life. And there is something for everyone from 'pick-and-mix' itineraries in the South West to faith tours across the country, from trips for intrepid travellers wanting undiscovered England to luxury jaunts in Yorkshire.”
The projects range from on-shore themed leisure trips for cruise passengers entering Southampton and Plymouth to luxury excursions in Yorkshire. These successful applicants, along with the 51 bids to receive funding to date, will create world-class bookable tourism products for international visitors to England, which also benefit the domestic market.
Tourism is worth £127 billion to the UK economy.
New projects:
Leisure excursions in Southern England for Cruise and Conference - led by Southampton City Council
This project will maximise the economic impact of the rising number of international cruise passengers who already dock into Southampton and Plymouth. The partnership will target visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, the Nordics and the USA with a suite of bookable, commissionable leisure excursions encouraging visitors to step ashore and explore the ports and surrounding counties.
International market product placement - led by Real Yorkshire Tours DMC
In this project Real Yorkshire Tours DMC (Destination Management Company), a new company launched by Leeds-based Real Yorkshire Tours and tourism marketing agency All About the Story, will develop high-end, themed, experience-driven multi-day Yorkshire packages for international visitors who want insider knowledge-led itineraries. The project will target the Australian and US markets with an aggregate of Yorkshire's luxury all-inclusive tourism products.
Undiscovered England - led by Globus
Aiming to attract visitors from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and the USA, this project will develop off-the-beaten-track authentic tours for intrepid travellers showcasing the lesser known parts of England.
England's GREAT South West Peninsula - led by Visit Cornwall
Tourism organisations have joined together to create a South West Peninsula Overseas Partnership made up of Visit Cornwall, the Islands’ Partnership (Isles of Scilly), Visit Devon, Visit Somerset and Visit Dorset to deliver targeted experiences including accommodation for family and friendship groups from Australia and the USA.
Attracting Faith Tourists to England - led by the National Churches Trust
This project will develop a bookable product based on faith venues across England to appeal to the US market.
Click here for more information about the Discover England Fund.
