Experience Oxfordshire visited Cogges Manor Farm with Robert Courts MP for English Tourism Week.

2023 is expected to be a good year for tourism in the UK. National tourist board VisitBritain’s research shows UK residents’ continuing interest in holidaying at home and a strong forecast for international visitors.  During the annual English Tourism Week destination management organisation, Experience Oxfordshire, met with business operators, politicians and sector leaders from across the visitor economy to share insights and identify action required to ensure the county benefits from UK tourism’s recovery.

Hayley Beer-Gamage, Chief Executive of Experience Oxfordshire said: “The annual English Tourism Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the fantastic range of products and experiences we have on offer in Oxfordshire and to highlight the professionalism and dedication of the owners and operators. The county’s visitor economy, however, is still recovering from the impact of the pandemic with regard to its value and the number of jobs supported. We have some way to go before we return to the £2.5bn generated in 2019 and Experience Oxfordshire recognises that it’s essential we continue to advocate for the sector. It’s been heartening to have had the active support of our members of parliament at on-site visits to meet with business operators and on a virtual round-table discussion with businesses and local authority colleagues from across the county.”

Robert Courts MP visited Cogges Manor Farm and said: “English Tourism Week reminds us of the wonderful range of excellent visitor attractions on our doorsteps and award-winning Cogges Manor Farm is a perfect example. Tourism creates £2.5bn per annum for Oxfordshire’s economy and many visitors come because of our great attractions. The Cogges Manor Farm team are ensuring this historic site and the engaging experiences offered here, will have a secure future, welcoming generations to come. I’m delighted to be here with Experience Oxfordshire whose work ensures the county is recognised as a leading destination for tourism.”

Guy Reed, General Manager at Cogges Manor Farm said: “As a registered charity it’s important for our survival that we’re not only promoted as a place to visit but are also recognised for the work we’re involved in. We’re therefore grateful to Experience Oxfordshire for the work they do in marketing the county and in drawing attention to the broader contribution attractions such as ours make to the community.”

Photo (top): Robert Courts MP visits Cogges Manor Farm and meets Chair of the Trustees, Paul Evans; General Manager, Guy Reed; Marketing and Communications Manager, Autumn Neagle; Farm Manager, Kirsty Grey and Experience Oxfordshire CEO, Hayley-Beer Gamage

For more information on the value of Oxfordshire’s visitor economy go to https://www.experienceoxfordshire.org/partner/partner-benefits/research-and-insights/

VisitBritain/VisitEngland

Coordinated by national tourism body, VisitEngland, the annual English Tourism Week highlights the sector’s economic importance and builds awareness of the innovation, quality and range of visitor experiences on offer in England. It also celebrates the skills of the workforce and the diverse range of jobs and careers available in the sector. 

For more information about VisitEngland and English Tourism Week see: https://www.visitbritain.org/english-tourism-week 

VisitEngland’s research into UK propensity for holidaying at home can be found here: https://www.visitbritain.org/domestic-sentiment-tracker

VisitBritain research and insights can be found here: https://www.visitbritain.org/2023-tourism-forecast