The past few months have underlined just how dynamic and collaborative our visitor economy is. From the dedication of our businesses to the support of our local authorities and the energy of our communities, Hull and East Yorkshire continues to demonstrate why tourism is such a powerful driver of prosperity and pride. VHEY exists because of strong partnerships – between our councils, our businesses and our communities. I want once again to thank Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council for their continued support, which underpins everything we do.
We are now entering an important new phase of regional collaboration. I’ve had a number of constructive meetings with Mayor Luke Campbell, and it’s clear he understands the scale and significance of the visitor economy. We’ll be working closely with him and the new Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority to ensure our sector has a strong voice in future decision-making.
Equally, I’m delighted to be working with the Chairs of the other accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) across Yorkshire. Together with our colleagues across the county, we are committed to working in unison to promote Yorkshire as a whole while celebrating the distinctiveness of our part of it.
At our last Board meeting, I was especially pleased to see such a strong focus on business support. Nearly 500 businesses have engaged with VHEY’s Business Support Team over the past two years, and a refreshed programme of workshops is now being rolled out.
Alongside this, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has announced a new round of Shared Prosperity Fund support – and I would strongly encourage eligible businesses to apply. Full details can be found on the council’s website: East Riding Shared Prosperity Fund. These initiatives are vital to ensuring our businesses have the tools they need to adapt, innovate and thrive.
Looking ahead, I can’t wait for the 15th Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) in November. This landmark year will see our biggest and most spectacular ceremony yet, showcasing the talent, creativity and dedication of everyone working in our sector. The REYTAs are more than an awards night – they’re a celebration of the people and businesses that make our region such a remarkable place to visit, and I am very much looking forward to being part of it once again.
With strong political support, ambitious partnerships across Yorkshire and practical help for our businesses, the next 12 months promise to be both exciting and important.
Together we can build real momentum for our visitor economy and lay the foundations for long-term growth and success.
- Chris Blacksell, Chair of VHEY
