Go-ahead for scheme to boost inbound tourism (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Go-ahead for scheme to boost inbound tourism in St Albans

11:30am Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Zoe Forsey, Senior Reporter

A new scheme to attract more visitors to St Albans will be rolled out across the district.

Politicians gave the go-ahead to the new strategy, which aims to increase visitor numbers by 40%, at a cabinet meeting last night.

In 2010, 1.6 million visitors came to St Albans bringing an estimated £160 million into the city.

The district council hope to increase this to £250 million by 2018.

Councillor Beric Read, portfolio holder for community engagement and localism at the council, said: "St Albans is a beautiful cathedral city with a rich Roman heritage that is surrounded by a wealth of local attractions.

"Research conducted by the council shows there is potential for St Albans’s visitor economy to grow significantly when compared with similar visitor destinations, such as Winchester.

"The strategy provides a plan of action for the council, businesses and community groups to capitalise on this potential by working together to boost visitor numbers."

Priorities for the first year include developing a Christmas market, courses for staff to develop their welcoming skills and promoting the city to overseas tourists.

The council is also hoping to obtain a Purple Flag accreditation, a scheme that recognises the night time economy.

As part of the new scheme a Visitor Economy Advisory Board, made up of local business experts, will be set up.