‘Building a stronger, more prosperous region’: Businesses unite to drive visitor economy growth
Richard Salkeld, Head of Communications and Partnerships at Hull Trains, and Chris Blacksell, Chair of VHEY, at Hull's Paragon Interchange.
THE new network is being led by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) to boost tourism, unlock investment and create jobs – to ultimately strengthen the region’s economy.
The VHEY Strategic Partners will support 1,800 organisations operating in the sector, over 21,000 people directly employed in the visitor economy and thousands of others that are dependent on its success.
The community of forward-thinking businesses will work collaboratively and proactively to promote the region nationally and internationally, to ensure it is resilient and it prospers.
Chris Blacksell, Chair of VHEY – the region’s tourism partnership – said: “We’re really excited to launch the VHEY Strategic Partners programme.
“The Strategic Partners are a powerful network of leaders who understand that success for our region will lead to success in business. This will create a stronger, more prosperous region for us all.
“Our Strategic Partners are an influential group who positively seek to develop connections, create synergies and influence the development and promotion of the region’s visitor economy through commitment, involvement and a fresh way of thinking.
“As a VHEY Strategic Partner, organisations champion and invest in activity to support the delivery of effective destination marketing and economic growth for the area, and use their shared expertise to influence wider visitor economy investment.
“This, in turn, will support our communities to thrive and experience a great quality of life.”
Strategic Partners will benefit from visibility at VHEY’s range of flagship events, including the annual REYTAs tourism awards and its Tourism Conference.
Bespoke packages are available to suit the specific needs of individual businesses and organisations, with all Strategic Partners benefitting from extensive networking opportunities and promotion on VHEY’s website and marketing materials.
Funding generated from the Strategic Partners programme is being reinvested to support businesses of all kinds and levels operating in the visitor economy across Hull and East Yorkshire.
Hull Trains was one of the first businesses to sign up as a VHEY Strategic Partner.
Richard Salkeld, Head of Communications and Partnerships, said: “Hull Trains is truly committed to being a VHEY Strategic Partner.
“We appreciate the significant part we play in helping the region’s visitor economy prosper. We bring thousands of people in and out of Hull and East Yorkshire each and every month, and we ensure our partnerships support the region’s economic prosperity.
“The visitor economy of critical for this part of the world. It has such a tremendous cultural offer – whether that’s the city centre, the coast or the countryside. There really is something for everyone.
“We’re proud to play an active role in showcasing and celebrating that offer, on a national and international scale.”
Sound, stage and lighting equipment company HPSS has also committed to being a Strategic Partner.
Hugh Jones, founder and Director of the business, said: “At HPSS, we’ve always valued cooperation, partnership and working together to create events.
“We’ve been involved in a lot of VHEY events, and we’ve seen first-hand the great work they do to promote businesses and visitor attractions in the region.
“The visitor economy is vital to what we do. We’re very passionate about designing and creating events that are memorable, to help promote the region. Getting involved in the Strategic Partnership programme is vital to that.”
PR, comms and media liaison company Lyon PR is another Strategic Partner.
Founder and Managing Director Rick Lyon said: “This region has so much to offer, and we’re stronger when we work together – so the more organisations that join the Strategic Partners programme, the better it will be for all of us.
“We have such a breadth of different businesses working in the visitor economy, and they need support. That’s what VHEY’s Strategic Partners programme is providing.”
VHEY is funded by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and supported by private sector businesses.
It is nationally accredited by VisitEngland as a Local Visitor Economic Partnership (LVEP), with the LVEP Advisory Board including representatives from prominent businesses and networks in the regional visitor economy.
The Strategic Partners programme is the latest proactive move by VHEY to help build a thriving visitor economy and drive growth.
It launched its Conference Champions campaign earlier this year, calling on business professional and industry experts who have influence to help bring conferences and other events to the region.
The recent initiatives form part of VHEY’s action plan, which has the four strategic priorities of grow value; quality destinations; support productivity; and embrace a new landscape.
- To find out more about becoming a VHEY Strategic Partner, visit https://www.visithullandeastyorkshire.co.uk/
