Experience Oxfordshire, the Destination Management Organisation for the county, has launched a marketing campaign aimed at encouraging domestic visitors to explore the breadth and depth of Oxfordshire this autumn.
The campaign, Only in Oxfordshire, highlights the accommodation, attractions, food and drink and shopping opportunities available across the county’s five districts: Oxford City, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire. Experience Oxfordshire will deliver a digital campaign featuring inspirational content aimed at encouraging the over-25, empty-nester market to consider taking a short break in the county this autumn.
Hayley Beer-Gamage, CEO, said: “As a county Oxfordshire enjoys a unique set of attributes within a relatively small area. We offer a world-famous, atmospheric city; historic towns and delightful villages; glorious countryside featuring rolling hills and idyllic river valleys. When we add to this, excellent transport links, delightful accommodation, unique experiences, and a warm welcome, Oxfordshire is a visitor destination that few can rival. The Only in Oxfordshire campaign will remind locals of what is on their doorstep and show UK visitors why they should choose Oxfordshire for their next short break. This campaign is an important part of our ongoing efforts to support Oxfordshire’s visitor economy recovery post pandemic.”
The first in an 18-month programme of activity, Experience Oxfordshire was commissioned to deliver the campaign by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) under their Visitor Economy Renaissance Programme, which supports the sector’s ongoing re-emergence from Covid-19. Funding for the programme was secured via the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund.
Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of OxLEP said: “We are pleased to be working with Experience Oxfordshire to attract visitors to the county. Marketing and communications are key elements of the Visitor Economy Renaissance Programme, helping ensure Oxfordshire maintains its position as one of the most-desirable destinations for local, national and international visitors and preserves the economic value generated from this.
“We would encourage businesses operating within the visitor economy and related sectors to support the Only in Oxfordshire initiative and, in addition, to be aware of the wider programme and the OxLEP Business Visitor Economy Grant Scheme, which is now open for applications.”
The Visitor Economy Grant Scheme provides grants, ranging from £5,000 to £24,999, to eligible businesses and OxLEP has encouraged potential beneficiaries of the scheme to visit its website to find out more.
Businesses interested in having a free Only in Oxfordshire campaign web-listing are invited to download the web listing form and upon completion email it to marketing@experienceoxfordshire.org
**END**
IMAGES
Available via the following link.
• Image 1: Harcourt Arboretum
• Image 2: The Crown & Thistle, Abingdon
• Image 3: Sky Wave Gin
• Image 4: The Covered Market Oxford
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
• The Only in Oxfordshire autumn short-breaks campaign highlights itineraries, accommodation, attractions, food and drink and shopping opportunities available across the county’s five districts.
• Experience Oxfordshire is the official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Oxfordshire. We are the trading arm of the parent charity, Experience Oxfordshire Charitable Trust, and are a not-for-profit partnership organisation that is committed to the promotion, management, and development of Oxfordshire as a great destination to live, work, visit and do business whilst improving growth and productivity across the visitor economy. The DMO provides essential business advice and support to visitor economy businesses across Oxfordshire.
For more information on Experience Oxfordshire go to experienceoxfordshire.flywheelstaging.com/partner
• Prior to the pandemic, Oxfordshire attracted thirty million tourists a year who contributed £2.5 billion to the local economy, 10% of the region’s annual GDP and supporting 12% of all jobs across the county. The Economic Impact Report for Tourism in Oxfordshire, commissioned by Experience Oxfordshire during the pandemic, subsequently showed a 59% decline in the value of tourism (from £2.5billion in 2019 to £1billion) and a substantial decline of 39% in jobs supported by sector (from 42,000 to 25,000).
• The OxLEP Business Visitor Economy Grant Scheme, for more information go to www.oxlepbusiness.co.uk/business-support/visitor-economy-grants
Contact:
Name: Lesley Wright
Email: press@experienceoxfordshire.org
Call: 01865 686433