Go Ribble Valley – set to boost tourism
‘Go Ribble Valley’, a new tourism partnership created to encourage more group visits into the area, has launched their promotional campaign at the National Group Leisure and Travel Show, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
The partnership, created by the Council and the Ribble Valley Tourism Association, involves a number of key operators, committed to increasing the number of quality groups visiting the area. They include attractions, food venues and accommodation providers. The coordinator is Tom Pridmore, Tourism and Events officer for the Council.
The ‘Go Ribble Valley’ promotional campaign was launched at the show, which was attended by some of the leading group travel and group tour operators from Britain and overseas. The vibrant branding for the campaign was created by Longridge company, AVJ design and new promotional print describes the attractions of the areas, containing some sample itineraries. They follow three key themes: heritage, food and quality experiences.
The launch comes after weeks of planning, following a business workshop facilitated by leading group travel consultant, Steve Reed Tourism, which also involved representatives from tour guiding and coach operators. The workshop discussed ways to attract more and better quality groups, from identified target areas.
The partnership is keen to ensure that group travel is developed in sensitive and sustainable ways. This will be done by making information about suitable opportunities more accessible, as well as identifying routes and opportunities capable of welcoming quality groups.
Consultant Steve Reed said ‘Ribble Valley features an interesting cluster of coach-stop attractions, including quaint market towns, heritage attractions, food experiences, accommodation, all enjoyed along scenic tour routes so there is much to appeal to the group tourism market’. Steve added that ‘the secret of success is businesses working collaboratively to create interesting itineraries, so, given the way in which Ribble Valley businesses work together, this presents a great opportunity.’
Councillor Rupert Swarbrick Chairman of the Councils Economic Regeneration Committee said “It is great to see some of our top providers working together to create this campaign which sets the scene for more group bookings for Ribble Valley.”
PHOTO from left: Sharon Yandell from the National Group Leisure and Travel Show, Tom Pridmore, Tourism and Events Officer Ribble Valley Borough Council, and Travel Consultant Steve Reed