Sunday, January 26, 2025 In a strategic move to bolster its tourism economy, Hampshire is applying to form a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) with Visit England, targeting cruise ship passengers and enhancing its regional appeal. The joint application, submitted by Hampshire County Council alongside Southampton and Portsmouth authorities, marks a significant step toward revitalizing the region’s travel and tourism sectors. Visit England, the national tourism body responsible for promoting England’s travel industry, introduced the LVEP scheme to streamline marketing efforts and provide targeted support for tourism hotspots.
Currently, Hampshire is not covered by an LVEP, leading to the withdrawal of Visit England’s marketing and funding support. This exclusion has left the region unable to bid for crucial funding streams or benefit from national marketing campaigns. The proposed LVEP aims to reverse this trend, unlocking opportunities for targeted marketing and funding that could significantly benefit Hampshire’s travel economy and individual attractions.
Tourism South East has agreed to act as the accountable body for the application, providing a unified approach to improving the region’s visitor economy. Hampshire’s LVEP application highlights the potential to attract cruise ship passengers who currently bypass key attractions like Winchester. By promoting lesser-known destinations alongside established landmarks, the initiative seeks to diversify the tou.