Visitor economy in the spotlight

With tourism, hospitality and cultural businesses in the West Midlands supporting more than 135,000 jobs, and the sector contributing around £12.6bn a year to the local economy, it is vital to the economy of the region.

The sector has been hardest hit by the coronavirus lockdown with little or no trading revenue generated and has been almost entirely reliant on the furlough scheme to avoid wholesale redundancies and business closures.

The chamber's hour-long live webinar on June 30 at 2pm, via Zoom, will involve industry experts in discussing some of the issues the sector currently faces.

Both chamber members and non- members are welcome to join the live virtual event to hear from David Roberts, executive director at Wolverhampton Racecourse; Scott Bernard, director at Aspen Leisure Hospitality and owner of the award-winning Mount Hotel and Country Manor,Wolverhampton; Lara Ratnaraja, a freelance consultant working within the cultural and digital sectors and Vicki Wilkes, owner of live music venue Red By Night on the Waterfront, Brierley Hill.

“As a region the Black Country offers a wealth of distinct attractions, sporting venues, cultural institutions, restaurants, bars and hotels and in normal times, the region is a popular visitor destination for families, thrill seekers, businesses and individuals,” said Karen Webb, director of business services at the Black Country Chamber who leads on the chamber’s Visit Black Country campaign.

“The region believes there is now a pressing need to restore confidence in the sector so it can not only fully recapture the economic and cultural benefits it enjoyed pre-lockdown but can grow further.

“It’s important for us to build on the unique heritage and distinctive strengths and seize the opportunity to reset, rebuild and reinvent our region, and come back even stronger," she added,

To find out more and to book a place please log onto: https://www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/events/30062020/in-conversation-with-the-visitor-economy/