About Us

Visit West is the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for the West of England. We represent the four unitary authorities of Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, businesses within these areas, and members beyond, working to maximise the potential of the region's visitor economy. 

Building on the work of the former Destination Bristol and Visit Bath, it brings together the business communities, local authorities, and wider stakeholders, and the domestic and international travel industry to create a strategically-focused and innovative delivery organisation with a clear purpose. 

Purpose

To deliver the development, management, and marketing of the visitor economy for local authorities and the private sector in the West of England.

Ambition

To be recognised as an exemplar Local Visitor Economy Partnership within the tourism industry, supported by local businesses and authorities. We will achieve this by: 

• Leading in industry recovery from the devastating impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic. 
• Creating a productive visitor economy that benefits businesses, local authorities, and residents. 
• Developing a sustainable organisation and visitor economy for now and the future. 
• Remaining at the forefront of innovation in DMO/LVEP delivery. 

Mission

Visit West’s mission is to lead, facilitate and support the development of the West of England region’s visitor economy, and deliver services which:

• Raise the profile of the tourism industry and its value to the region.
• Support the development of the conference and business events industry.
• Create routes to market through pro-active work, particularly with the travel trade.
• Enhance the reputation of the region and its destinations.
• Encourage sustainable development.
• Improve the quality of the visitor experience.
• Stimulate investment and innovation.
• Provide insights and data to support businesses and stakeholders
• Provide business support and signpost support from other agencies locally, nationally and internationally
• Provide value for money for its private and public sector partners.
• Support the recovery of the tourism industry from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic
• Market the West of England’s visitor experience and promote the interests of the company’s members and partners.

Objectives

• Create a sustainable LVEP for the future.
• Improve productivity within the visitor economy through development of routes to market.
• Support the development of the tourism industry, a sector that, because of its dimensions and complexity, and its importance to the region’s economy, requires a high level of co-ordination if it is to fulfil its potential.
• Support the development of partnerships locally and with the wider tourism and travel industry.
• Contribute to the work of other agencies where Visit West can use its influence, connections, and know-how, to improve the economic position of the region and the prospects of its residents.