Tourism across the Welland Sub-Region

The Welland SSP are contributing to tourism initiatives across the sub-region: Tourism

Tourism is a key contributor to the Welland economy, contributing an estimated £14m annually to the sub-regional economy and represents an important investment area for The Welland SSP.

Beneficiaries across the Welland include a growing network of accommodation providers, retail shops, catering establishments, visitor attractions and leisure venues, all contributing to local jobs, increased visitor spend and overnight stays.

We have a strong partner in Hidden England, the marketing consortium of Welland great houses (Belvoir, Rockingham and Grimsthorpe castles, Belton and Burghley houses) and now expanding its partners to include additional visitor attractions and visitor accommodation. The Welland SSP is also supporting a world-class water heritage programme at Foxton Locks and operates a successful tourism development grant programme.

Notably the Welland’s Equestrian Tourism and Leisure strategy is a first of its kind, aimed at profitable development and integration of equestrianism with leisure and tourism opportunities, underpinned by mainstream business support, product development, marketing strategies and increased uptake of ICT.

Tourism work already completed will provide a firm foundation for a joined up, strategic approach to tourism and culture, working with Destination Management Partners such as Leicester Shire Promotions, Explore Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire Tourism and East Midlands Tourism overall.

We recognise the clear linkages between tourism and our policies on Enterprise and Business Support, Employment and Skills, Sustainable Communities and Rural Development and our future role will ensure cross fertilisation of these approaches.

The Welland area is now home to the Game Fair to be held every four years at Belvoir Castle, the annual Burley Horse Trials, and the largest bird fair in the World at Rutland Water attracting exhibitors from all over the world and bringing in around £300,000 each year to the local economy

Key Issues

• Increasing the quality offer and promoting the sub-region
• Integration of tourism and leisure opportunities
• Increasing levels of vocational skills and qualifications in the tourism industry
• Integrated tourism and leisure with other industry sectors
• Exploitation of cultural and heritage potential
• Promotion of marketing opportunities