Attracting visitors to Calderdale is important for the local economy, bringing money into the area and creating jobs and business opportunities.
Plans for a refreshed approach to Calderdale Council’s tourism strategy are to be discussed at Cabinet on Monday 5 August.
It’s proposed that the refreshed strategy would provide extra support for small and medium sized businesses, and develop Calderdale’s reputation as a great place to visit, both locally and regionally.
The Visitor Economy Strategy would continue the hard work already achieved in building Calderdale’s tourism industry, including continued support for the fantastic events, festivals and other cultural opportunities the borough has to offer, and also developing and promoting Calderdale as a cycling destination.
Calderdale has always been a great place for cycling, with the hilly landscape appealing to experienced road cyclists and mountain bikers. The unique opportunity to couple this with the visit of the Tour de France, has led to the idea of promoting Calderdale as a Cycling Hub – offering routes, attractions, cycle friendly accommodation and repair facilities as a package.
Calderdale would be developed as an outdoors destination, attracting both families and sports visitors.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Steve Sweeney, said:
“Tourism is vital to the local economy and this refreshed visitor strategy would provide development on a number of themes, designed to increase the number of visitors to the area.
“There are unique opportunities available to Calderdale – its location between Manchester and Leeds, the beautiful countryside we have to offer, and events coming to the region, like the Tour de France.
“We need to take advantage of these opportunities, and if approved, the Visitor Economy Strategy would focus on promoting Calderdale as a tourist destination.”