Investment

Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire

Developing the visitor economy

Attracting and supporting investment in the region is a key priority for East Midlands Tourism (EMT). It is crucial for building a high quality tourism offer, enabling the East Midlands visitor economy to remain competitive with other regions and achieving sustainable growth.

In recent years there has been increased levels of public investment activity in the region with projects such as the regeneration of Foxton Locks in Leicestershire; the introduction of improved visitor facilities at Naseby Battlefield; improved visitor signage at Stamford; the launch of a visitor gateway programme at the National Forest and improvements to the High Peak rail infrastructure.

How EMT gets involved

As well as supporting capital investment in major initiatives, EMT is involved in advising on projects with wider implications for the visitor economy. These include:

• Assessment for funding
• ‘Master Plan’ Development
• Examining land use
• Product mix and opportunities
• Delivering a longer term vision for destinations
• Supporting concept development to enable ideas to become reality
• Private sector project evaluation in relation to understanding the potential contribution to the visitor economy
• Influencing the private sector to ’sell in’ opportunities
• Evidential support, providing the tools for others to ‘make the case’ for investment in the sector
• Monitoring opportunities

Investment in the tourism infrastructure has been identified as a priority in EMT’s 2008-2011 strategic plan. In June 2008, EMT invited tourism businesses from across the region to apply for grant funding.

This invitation followed an 18 month study led by EMT which identified the priorities for fresh capital investment.