All this week we are showcasing our city and county’s tourism industry as part of an annual week of celebration.

VisitEngland’s English Tourism Week, which runs from 15-24 March, is an annual celebration of the tourism industry, showcasing its importance to local communities and economies.

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This year’s theme is ‘Supporting tourism, the heart of our communities’, highlighting the visitor economy’s social, cultural and economic impact. According to the 2022 Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) survey, tourism is worth £2.07 billion to Leicester and Leicestershire, up £440 million since 2021 and £108 million up on pre-pandemic figures. Over 30.5 million people visited Leicester and Leicestershire in 2022, up 2.38 million on 2021.

Aside from any of this, the week is about celebrating the people who contribute so much to making Leicester and Leicestershire a thriving and exciting place to visit. We are celebrating three specific activities in this post, and one more towards the end of the week. So let’s go!

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Our Tourism Superstars

As we’ve already told you, Field Sports UK are one of this year’s nominees for VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar award. The awards recognise the passion and hard work of English tourism industry workers and celebrate those who go the extra mile to ensure that tourists in England have an amazing and unforgettable visitor experience.

Field Sport ae an award-winning, family-run, outdoor activity centre in North West Leicestershire.

Councillor Tony Gillard, Portfolio Holder for Business and Regeneration at NWLDC, said: “Field Sport UK's nomination in the national Tourism Superstar award is a testament to the exceptional experiences they offer and the dedication they have shown in promoting our local area as a top tourist destination.

“It is brilliant to know one of our own local businesses has been recognised for their hard work. I implore everyone in the district to vote online and make Field Sport UK the national Tourism Superstar.”

You can still vote for Field Sport UK at www.visitengland.com/superstar. Voting closes on 24 March 2024.

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King Richard III Visitor Centre’s accessibility showcase

We took Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby and Deputy Mayor Adam Clarke around Leicester’s King Richard III Visitor Centre this English Tourism Week. They were shown the latest developments for visitors with accessibility challenges. The Centre has been specifically designed to cater for people of all abilities regardless of their accessibility needs.

This includes a hearing loop at the front desk, low-level desks for wheelchair users, subtitles on all video content, displays set at a lower level to cater to those using wheelchairs, and an app which provides visual content and audio descriptions for the exhibit. They can also arrange personal guided tours for visitors with visual impairments or BSL guided tours (booked in advance) if you contact them in advance by emailing or calling 0116 229 4132.

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Jewry Wall Roman museum redevelopment visit

Sir Peter and Adam also toured the site of the multi-million pound Jewry Wall Roman experience. The local favourite museum which uncovers the story of Roman Leicester is currently undergoing a major refurbishment to create a brand new state of the art immersive visitor experience.

This involves a full renovation of the listed building it sits within, the creation of new galleries and a home for many of the artefacts that have been discovered in the city over the years.

Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “As part of this year’s English Tourism Week celebrations, I was pleased to have the opportunity to experience the latest developments at two of our flagship museums in the city.

“Tourism is a vital part of the city’s economy, bringing in millions of pounds every year, and we’re so proud that we can showcase some of our highlights for visitors to Leicester.”