Priority 3 - Action Area 3 (AA3-3)

Supporting the Improvement of the Region’s Visitor Offer & Image

Funding for projects which raise the quality of the Northwest’s visitor and tourism offer, improve the image of the region and raise awareness of the region’s distinctive offer. Projects can include enhancing the built and natural environment where it supports the Northwest’s visitor and tourism offer.

Rationale

The Northwest has significant strength in its cultural assets, history and heritage, and its built and natural environment. This supports a strong visitor economy – in both rural and urban areas – responsible for employing hundreds of thousands of people across the region.

However, the visitor economy faces significant challenges because of: changing patterns of tourism and consumer tastes; issues around the region’s image and perceptions amongst potential visitors; the quality of the tourism and visitor infrastructure and service; and environmental quality.

The Northwest is well placed to take advantage of a variety of opportunities, arising from changing tastes, major events, the European Capital of Culture 2008, London 2010 and the region’s Signature Projects, as listed in the Northwest Regional Tourism Strategy.

Eligible Activities

There are five areas of eligible activity supported under AA3-3

1. Limited capital investment in new visitor or tourism facilities and attractions in the Merseyside
   phasing-in region (including new investments in existing facilities and attractions), in line with
   sub-regional strategic priorities;
2. The protection and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage assets, in line with regional
   strategic priorities as set out in the region’s Tourism Strategy;
3. Specific support for Liverpool 2008 Capital of Culture, including spreading the benefits regionally,
   linked to the legacy activity post 2008, including the themed years (2009 environment and 2010
   innovation);
4. Promotion and marketing of natural and cultural heritage assets, to promote sustainable tourism;
5. Green transport plans for accessing natural and cultural heritage sites to promote sustainable
   tourism, including limited investment in sustainable transport.

All eligible activity must in line with regional strategic priorities as set out in the Northwest Regional Tourism Strategy.

For more information on each of these strands, download the Investment Framework.

AA3-3 is currently closed to new bids. For further information please contact Hazel Catt.