Business & Invest | Published on: 24th January 2025
The hunt is on for top regional talent working in the tourism and hospitality sectors to help drive forward ambitious plans for the region’s visitor economy.
Tees Valley boasts Local Visitor Economy Partnership status, providing key benefits to our region to supercharge our tourism offer and promote the area as a premier destination.
The designation puts us on level pegging with areas like County Durham, Northumberland, Liverpool and Manchester, raising our regional profile on a national and international level while opening up new support streams with the likes of VisitEngland and VisitBritain.
Now a new Board is being established to guide this vital work and those with sector-specific expertise, strategic insight, strong networks and a passion for enhancing the local visitor economy are being called on to apply.
Whether you represent a small, boutique getaway, a large regional attraction, a festival, museum or gallery – applications are open to all dedicated individuals that work in the sector.
Content creators and accessibility advocates and experts are also encouraged to apply.
The LVEP Board will be chaired for the first year by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and backed by the Combined Authority and Tees Valley Business Board.
This is a fantastic opportunity to boost the industry, shout about all the great things on offer in Tees Valley, welcome even more people to our area and cement Tees Valley’s place on the map.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Tourism brings massive benefits to our region – in 2023 alone we saw a £1.3billion economic boost from the sector. This is vital to support our attractions, plus fantastic high streets and hospitality – the majority of which are SMEs, the lifeblood of our region.
“We’ve got a fantastic opportunity to grow this sector even further, but we can’t do it alone. We need expertise of all shapes and sizes to help us bang the drum of what Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool has to offer to help more people discover our area and, ultimately, create more jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.
“I’d call on anyone to apply and help drive the change that you want to see to highlight our area as the gem we know it is.”
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “I wish the Tees Valley Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) every success in securing an inspiring new Board to lead the destination as it sets out its vision for the future.
“The search also shines a timely spotlight on the industry’s economic importance and the fantastic work underway with stakeholders across the region to grow the visitor economy. We look forward to continuing to work with the Tees Valley LVEP and its Board, building on the region’s success and ensuring Tees Valley remains a top destination for both domestic and international visitors now and in the years ahead.”
Applications close at 12pm, Friday 21 February, with the first meeting to take place on 19 March to coincide with English Tourism Week.
Apply now by visiting the dedicated page on the TVCA website.
Share this post
Join us on social media for the latest news