Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps are being taken to raise the profile of the North West as a tourist destination.
Answered by Helen Grant - Shadow Solicitor General
The North West is promoted by both VisitEngland and VisitBritain, benefitting from the Holidays at Home are GREAT campaign and the international GREAT campaign. VisitEngland is running a number of thematic campaigns, in particular around Blackpool and Manchester, which can be found at http://www.visitengland.com/ . VisitEngland also regularly promotes the countryside of Cumbria and Lancashire, featuring them in much of their imagery. The North West is featured in VisitBritain's current marketing campaigns including focusing on Manchester as a gateway to the Lake District, Liverpool as the home of the Beatles and the promotion of cities which have Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Manchester.
The International Festival for Business, taking place in Liverpool this summer over a six week period, is a global event which will further strengthen Liverpool's position as a major tourist destination. VisitBritain is promoting the festival through all its platforms, whilst VisitEngland is hosting and participating in a series of events throughout the six week period.