Tourism’s role in boosting the Ribble Valley economy was explored as part of a recent delegation to the area.
Tourism professionals visited the borough to learn about Ribble Valley Borough Council’s partnership work in developing the visitor economy.
The visit, called A Taste of Love, included senior destination managers, leading tourism consultants and a Government adviser, and was part of a major national tourism convention at the University of Lancashire in Preston.
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The Ribble Valley tour was coordinated by the council’s tourism and event officer, Tom Pridmore, and took in a number of landmarks and businesses, including Langho’s Michelin-starred Northcote Hotel and Restaurant and Clitheroe’s Holmes Mill.
The tour ended with a visit to Clayton-le-Dale dairy farm and visitor centre Mrs Dowson’s Farm Park and roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing rural tourism and diversification.
Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Simon Hore said: “Tourism is a key part of our economic strategy and we recognise its potential for growth, with visitor numbers increasing steadily year-on-year.
“Our challenge is to develop the visitor economy, while ensuring it does not detract from the beauty of the borough, or adversely affect the local community, which is why we target key markets, such as food and drink, walking and weddings.
Tourism generates over £260million a year for the Ribble Valley economy, along with 3,454 full-time equivalent jobs.
Many visitors are attracted by the borough’s food and drink, as well as a burgeoning wedding offering.
Tom Pridmore, tourism and events officer at Ribble Valley Borough Council, is a former president of the Tourism Management Institute, the professional body for tourism officers in the UK and the travel sector’s ‘voice of destination management’.
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