Cambridgeshire and Peterborough expand £2B visitor economy plans

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region is implementing strategic plans to expand its £2 billion visitor economy. Key initiatives include the formal establishment of the Peterborough Tourist Board as a legal entity and Destination Management Organisation (DMO).

In 2022, the visitor economy accounted for 16.4% of Peterborough’s total workforce. The city attracts approximately 6.4 million visits annually, representing 26% of the domestic tourist trips to the wider Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area. While the city sees high visitor numbers, officials noted it currently lags behind Cambridge in overnight stays and total visitor spending.

To support this growth, regional leaders are focusing on the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) and a five-year Destination Management Plan. There is an increasing emphasis on bridging the gap between economic ambition and workforce readiness. Education providers, such as the Inspire Education Group, are advocating for closer collaboration between employers and educational institutions to ensure local residents can access new career pathways and the higher-level skills required by the evolving tourism sector.