Visit West, the official Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for the West of England (UK), recently announced the appointment of Andrew Billingham, head honcho of YTL Arena Bristol, as its new Chair.
‘VisitWest’ stated that Billingham takes the helm of Visit West at a pivotal time for tourism and economic regeneration in the region.
Visit West is the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for the West of England (UK). They represent the four unitary authorities of Bath and Northeast Somerset (ceremonial county in England), Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, businesses within these areas, and Members beyond, working to maximize the potential of the Region’s visitor economy.
Visit West promotes the region globally, supports tourism businesses with development, marketing and research and drives growth by collaborating with the local authorities, the industry and the educational partners. The organization prioritizes the sustainable practices, the inclusive experiences and the community engagement.
The YTL Arena Bristol is a proposed 20,000-capacity indoor arena to be located at the former Filton Airfield’s Brabazon hangar. The original plans were for the arena to be built next to the Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station in Bristol, England (UK) and were expected to be completed in 2020.
Andrew Billingham has been a Visit West Board Member since 2020 supporting the organization’s mission to increase the region’s visitor economy and promote the West of England as one of the United Kingdom’s premier destinations for leisure visits and business events. In 2020, he was named one of Bristol’s most influential figures by Bristol24/7 following his instrumental role in the completion of the 27,000-capacity Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, England (UK).
Alongside Billingham’s appointment, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (a regional governing body in England led by a directly elected Mayor) is now the Co-Owners of Visit West alongside the Business West (a nonprofit business leadership and support organization headquartered in Bristol, UK) demonstrating their commitment to support the region’s tourism, hospitality and the events industry.
‘VisitWest’ further stated that with its company roots stretching back to 1999, Visit West is recognized as one of the United Kingdom’s leading organizations supporting the visitor economy as one of the first accredited LVEPs in 2023. As a public-private partnership operating on a not-for-profit basis Visit West’s work is key in the continued development, support and promotion of the visitor experience across the region bringing together a diverse range of businesses.
Asserted Andrew Billingham, New Chair, Visit West, “I am honored to serve as the Chair of Visit West and to champion the West of England’s vibrant tourism industry. Our region boasts incredible diversity from the stunning coastline and the rural heritage to the dynamic urban centers and flagship attractions. Visit West plays an essential role in bringing together public and private sectors to drive growth. I’m committed to building on the organization’s success and ensuring our communities thrive through sustainable tourism. Tourism is worth £2.5 billion to the local economy supporting more than 45,000 jobs.”
Commented Kathryn Davis, head honcho, Visit West, “Andrew’s appointment brings invaluable leadership to Visit West. His extensive experience in major events and venue management, alongside his deep-rooted commitment to the region, aligns perfectly with our mission. Under his stewardship we will work collaboratively to enhance the visitor experiences, support the local businesses and drive economic impact while championing sustainability and inclusivity.”
Added Helen Godwin, Mayor, West of England, “The West is the place to be. Those of us who are lucky enough to be from here know that – and so do all those coming to visit. Whether it’s the Jane Austen Festival, the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the Greatest Dog Show on Earth, there is so much going on in our part of the world. It’s fitting that this milestone for Visit West comes in the week we are set to launch our new regional Growth Strategy. The combined authority has a key role in backing economic growth so it’s right that we’re now invested in supporting such an important sector. Andrew, like John, Kathryn and the rest of the Board are well-placed to keep bringing major events to the West for the local people and the visitors alike to enjoy alongside our other many attractions – supporting tens of thousands of jobs.”
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