In tourism, england, visitengland, Events, awards

From the 14-23 March 2025, Visit Leicester has been turning the spotlight on tourism as VisitEngland’s English Tourism Week kicks off with this year’s theme of ‘supporting people and places to drive growth’.

During this nationwide celebration of the tourism sector, Visit Leicester has been highlighting some key events and activities throughout the week, as well as celebrating the contributions made by those working in the local tourism and hospitality industry.

In England, tourism supports 200,000 SME businesses, employs 2.6 million people and generates about £71.6 billion annually for the economy in domestic visitor spending.

Within Leicestershire, tourism activity resulted in 31.28 million visitors, contributing £2.39 billion to the local economy (data from the 2023 Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) survey). The value to the economy surpasses the £2.1 billion target outlined in the Leicester and Leicestershire Tourism Growth Plan 2020-25 and represents a 15.5% increase on the previous year.

Light Up Leicester turned the spotlight on the city

As English Tourism Week began, Leicester was illuminated by the bi-annual Light Up Leicester festival, which ran from 12-15 March. Large scale installations and parades turned the city into a paradise of light, sound and fun. A huge finale parade on Saturday 15 March saw the flamboyant ivory horses of Fiers a Cheval lead a spectacular parade through the city to conclude the festivities.

Celebrating 10 years of the Lost King

King Richard III forms a major part of English Tourism Week in Leicester as a decade is marked since the King was finally laid to rest. On the 26 March 2015, King Richard III was reinterred at Leicester Cathedral after a lost and found story that captivated the world. The Lost King became global front page news and put Leicester into the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Throughout this year’s English Tourism Week, celebrations begin for this very special 10th anniversary.

Leicester Cathedral has a whole month’s worth of events to commemorate the reinterment. On Saturday 22 March, Leicester Cathedral Choir present Music for Kings and Queens, a special concert featuring music from the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, King Richard III’s Service of Reinterment and the Coronation of King Charles III.

Find out more about the 10th anniversary here.

Historical murals in Oadby & Wigston

In addition to events in the city, there was plenty happening across Leicestershire. On Monday 17 March, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council officially revealed a brand-new mural in Wigston town centre celebrating the history of the area. The mural was designed and created by local street art collective Graffwerk, in collaboration with the Greater Wigston Historical Society. The same team also worked on a similar mural in South Wigston which was revealed last month.

A new tourism plan for Blaby

Then on Wednesday 19 March, Visit Blaby launched their new Tourism Growth Plan at Everards Meadows beer and food hall. The plan sets out the future priorities for the district, which is a key partner of Visit Leicester and home to some of Leicestershire’s top attractions including Fosse Park Shopping Centre, the 15th Century Kirby Muxloe Castle, the UK’s National Diving Centre at Stoney Cove, and Everards beer hall with 70 acres of regenerated green space at Everards Meadows. 

Tourism and trade in North West Leicestershire

Also on 19 March, East Midlands Airport hosted the A Gateway to Tourism and Trade event, as part of the airport’s 60th anniversary celebrations. Guests hears from a range of speakers including VisitEngland representatives, and were able to network with exhibitors from regional attractions and tourism organisations.

Concluding the week is a special event on Friday 21 March where the National Forest Company hosts a visit from local MP for Mid-Leicestershire, Peter Bedford, where he will be introduced to the Charnwood Geopark bid. UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas that contain internationally significant geology, which communities promote to achieve sustainable economic development. Charnwood Forest hopes to be awarded this designation and join 195 UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Vote for Leicester Museums in the Tourism Superstar Awards

English Tourism Week ends on 23 March when the 2025 VisitEngland Tourism Superstar will be revealed. Leicester and Leicestershire are proud to have been nominated for the third time in four years, with the team at Leicester Museums & Galleries judged as one of ten finalists. The team has been shortlisted thanks to its commitment to providing an unforgettable visitor experience to everyone who comes to the city, and Visit Leicester is especially proud that the Visit Leicester Information team, based at the King Richard III Visitor Centre, is part of the nomination. Voting remains open until 22 March and you can add your vote here.

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