English Tourism Week, a national celebration of tourism across England, kicks off on 17 March 2023 and Visit Dorset, Dorset Council’s tourism team, is encouraging everyone to make the most of what our fantastic county has to offer.
The theme of this year’s national event is, ‘celebrating amazing experiences and amazing people’, and the Visit Dorset team are doing just that, celebrating all the wonderful people working in Dorset’s tourism sector and the way they ensure visitors have amazing experiences and add to the vibrancy of our local communities.
The team will be promoting Dorset’s unique experiences and a host of special offers on its popular Facebook and Instagram channels and on their official destination website, which receives over 2.12 million visits per year. The team encourages local tourism businesses to engage with English Tourism Week and make the most of this chance to promote Dorset. It’s a great opportunity to inspire residents and visitors to get out and about, explore somewhere new and support local businesses.
Councillor Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property, said:
“English Tourism Week is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our support to businesses as part of this national campaign and to promote the wonders of Dorset as a great place to visit, work and live. There’s a lot to celebrate! From great local food producers, café’s, places to stay, attractions and things to do, Dorset offers some truly unforgettable experiences, and tourism in Dorset is important. It boosts the economy and brings vitality to urban, rural and coastal communities. It enhances the quality of life for our local residents, contributes £1.8 billion to the local economy, supports over 40,000 jobs and highlights our culture and unique natural attractions.”
During English Tourism Week, the regional South West Tourism Awards will also take place at the Eden Project in Cornwall. An incredible 21 Dorset tourism businesses, the highest ever proportion of winners from the Dorset Tourism Awards, have been put forward and will be competing for gold in the regional finals. It’s a great chance to recognise businesses who provide the very best experiences for visitors. As proud sponsors of the Dorset Tourism Awards, Visit Dorset are thrilled that so many Dorset businesses are being recognised.
Visit the Visit Dorset’s English Tourism Week campaign page for more details and to view special offers.
Tourism and hospitality business based in Dorset can benefit from all the support, marketing, training and communications on offer from the Visit Dorset team. Find out more about collaborating with us or contact the Visit Dorset team on 01305 252241.
This may not be the place to mention this, but as a retired couple who motorhome for 6 months of the year around Europe, why on earth doesn’t the UK cash in on the thousands of motorhome owners and do what European countries do and have Aires on the outskirts of villages and towns to attract tourists? Somewhere to stay for a night, empty waste, top up with water, visit, spend money in the local area and move on? An app to show where they are located etc. They only have to accommodate 5-10 motorhomes at a time and could have a lift up barrier where visitors pay a small fee a night to stay. We cannot understand why Dorset doesn’t do this? Campsites are expensive and are only required when motorhomers want somewhere with an electric hook up and a few more facilities. France do it so well and it really does encourage tourism! If you need expert advice or speak to someone with a lot of experience we’re happy to help.
Lots of PR puff about incredible this and fantastic that during English Tourist Week in Dorset. But if one arrived in Dorchester and wanted to find somewhere to stay, places to eat attractions to visit where or who would I ask, a taxi driver?
Yes, I know one can turn to the internet but that is not the same as talking to a real person in a welcoming and informative environment. I think Dorchester must be one of the very few county towns that puts its self forward as a visitor destination yet does not have a visitor information centre. And if you arrive by train, well…….
Is Dorchester still without a walk-in Tourist Office and, if so, why when Dorchester is a busy Tourist area at all times of the year especially in the summer. The Tourist Office which used to be placed in Dorchester Library was an ideal location close to the car parks.
The Dorchester TIC has been closed for a while now. You can find out more at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/-/review-of-dorset-council-s-current-tourist-information-centre-service-eqia – James