The newly formed York and North Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) Board met for the first time on Tuesday, 23 September, marking a major milestone in the region’s ambition to grow and support its visitor economy.
The board, chaired by the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, brings together senior leaders from North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council, Visit North Yorkshire, Make It York, VisitEngland, and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The board met for the first time since York & North Yorkshire received its official accreditation as a LVEP, part of VisitEngland’s national portfolio, this means we are recognised as the official body to support the area’s visitor economy, providing strong local leadership and governance for York & North Yorkshire. Find out more about the LVEP.
Key priorities discussed by the LVEP board included the development of a partnership agreement and the emerging LVEP Strategy. The strategy, which will build on the existing Destination Management Plans (DMPs) for both York and North Yorkshire, sets a framework for coordinated delivery across the region.
Paul Szomoru, Regional Development Lead for North East & Yorkshire at VisitEngland gave an overview of VisitEngland’s role in shaping the national visitor economy, including its organisational structure, strategic priorities, and the LVEP framework as a mechanism for delivering consistent, high-quality destination management across England.
Head of Tourism for North Yorkshire Council, Tony Watson said: “Since our accreditation as a York & North Yorkshire LVEP, work has already begun alongside Make it York, City of York Council and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to establish the most effective ways of working together. Steps have already been taken to showcase York & North Yorkshire to international audiences via travel trade activity and joint projects undertaken to strengthen each destination’s asset library using LVEP funding from VisitEngland.
“This inaugural meeting of the LVEP Board is another major step in this new partnership where we can set the tone for an ambitious and collaborative approach. Together we can be a driver for exciting new projects, business support, and sustainable growth across the region.”
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “VisitEngland is very proud to support the York and North Yorkshire LVEP and its new Board as they continue the fantastic strategic partnership work already underway. We look forward to continuing to work with the York and North Yorkshire LVEP, building on the region’s success, ensuring it remains a top destination for both domestic and international visitors now and in the years ahead.”
To ensure strong local engagement, the LVEP board will meet in different locations across the region, giving tourism businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to speak directly to decision-makers. In addition, monthly meetings of senior tourism officers are now taking place to support the LVEP’s work and maintain momentum between the board’s sessions. The next meeting of the York and North Yorkshire LVEP board will take place in early 2026, with further details on its agenda and venue to be announced nearer the date.
For more details, read the press release.
