Spring is in the air, signalling the launch of the tourism season, coinciding with English Tourism Week which runs from 15 to 24 March. This annual event serves as a vibrant celebration of a key economic sector. Visit Colchester is supporting the nationwide campaign by highlighting the importance of the industry locally, and Colchester as a major destination in the East of England.
Covid 19 had a devastating impact on tourism, but the sector is rebounding strongly with latest figures showing it contributed over £382 million to the local economy in 2022, supporting over 7000 jobs. Visit Colchester is committed to working with partners across the sector to support the continued recovery and future growth of the local tourism industry, recently given a major boost by the award of City Status which will help raise Colchester’s profile at home and abroad.
Through the Visitor Information Centre, the www.visitcolchester.com website – a new version of which will launch later this year – and a suite of popular publications such as the annual official Visit Colchester Guide, the team at Visit Colchester offers inspiration, information and a warm welcome to visitors in advance of and during their stay, as well as helping residents and their visiting friends and family discover what’s on their doorstep.
The team are also working to grow Colchester’s share of the group travel market with a dedicated promotional campaign and incentive scheme. In recent months, Visit Colchester has hosted group travel organisers from across the south-east on a familiarisation tour to showcase Colchester’s heritage offer for groups, and engaged with audiences at prominent industry events, including the Excursions Travel Group Travel Show at Wembley.
Looking ahead, the team is set to exhibit at the British Travel and Tourism Show in Birmingham, the showpiece event of English Tourism Week, in partnership with Visit Essex. With free reserved coach parking, discounts for attractions and tours and complimentary refreshment vouchers for drivers and couriers on offer, the scheme is designed to boost Colchester’s reputation as a group travel destination.
Meanwhile major investment in Colchester's tourism offer continues across the sector: the development of Jumbo as a major attraction, the further expansion of the facilities at the Mercury Theatre and at Colchester Zoo where anticipation mounts for the unveiling of DINO-MITE in early 2024. The new attraction promises to be an immersive experience, transporting visitors back in time to encounter animatronic dinosaurs from various epochs.
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: "Colchester's tourism scene is a treasure trove of hidden gems, and English Tourism Week is the perfect time to unlock its wonders. With ongoing investments across the city, we will play our full part in adding to the visitor experience to help us all explore and celebrate all that our city has to offer."
To celebrate English Tourism Week, show your support for Colchester as a growing visitor destination with a FREE Visit Colchester reusable cotton shopping bag – available from 15 to 24 March from the Visitor Information Centre in the Hollytrees Museum.
For more information about Colchester and upcoming events, please visit www.visitcolchester.com
Photo above shows the Visit Colchester stand at the Excursions group travel industry show in January 2024
Page last reviewed: 15 March 2024