Tourism businesses praise Visit Leicester
More than 80 tourism businesses from across Leicester and Leicestershire have praised Visit Leicester's commitment to supporting the visitor economy after its latest Tourism Network Event helped businesses gain new ideas, build valuable connections and uncover opportunities for future collaboration.
Every delegate left with insights they could apply to their organisation, highlighting the event's impact in bringing the sector together and supporting business growth.
Attractions, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses, retailers and tourism partners from across the city and county attended the event, with 94% rating it good or excellent and saying they would recommend it to others.
The impact of the event was reflected in the feedback received. An impressive 94% of delegates rated the event as good or excellent and said they would recommend it to others, while 100% reported taking away ideas they could apply within their business.
Feedback also revealed strong demand for further training, industry insight and opportunities to collaborate, prompting Visit Leicester to begin planning its next Tourism Network Event for early 2027.
Businesses heard from experts across technology, travel and communications about some of the biggest issues shaping tourism, including artificial intelligence, changing visitor behaviour, storytelling and media visibility.
Businesses heard from experts across technology, travel and communications about some of the biggest issues shaping tourism, including artificial intelligence, digital visitor behaviour, storytelling and media visibility.
Geotourist CEO Shaon Talukder explored how artificial intelligence, location technology and visitor data are changing the way destinations attract and engage tourists, including the growing opportunity to influence visitors before they arrive.
Travel writer and broadcaster Ash Bhardwaj examined how authentic storytelling can turn local heritage and visitor experiences into stronger destination marketing.
Kevin Fraser Urquhart, Managing Director of FU Media, focused on how tourism businesses can turn stronger stories into earned media coverage and greater visibility across print, digital and broadcast channels.
Interactive workshops and networking sessions also generated new business connections, with delegates reporting potential partnerships as well as opportunities to collaborate on promoting Leicester and Leicestershire as a destination.
One attendee said:
"The discussions around working together to promote tourism across the area were incredibly positive. It was fantastic to meet businesses from across Leicester and Leicestershire, make new connections and share ideas. I left feeling inspired and would definitely attend again."
Tina Dyer, Strategic Tourism Manager at Visit Leicester, said:
"The message from businesses was very clear: they want more opportunities to learn, connect and work together. Every delegate told us they left with ideas they could apply to their organisation, but just as importantly we saw new partnerships and conversations beginning across the room.
"A stronger visitor economy depends on businesses working together, sharing knowledge and championing the destination collectively. We're already planning the next Tourism Network Event for early 2027 and want even more tourism, hospitality, leisure and retail businesses to become part of that network."
Visit Leicester is now planning the next Tourism Network Event for early 2027, with the programme expected to respond directly to businesses' requests for further training, insight and networking opportunities.
Businesses interested in attending the next event can now register their interest through Visit Leicester.
The network events form part of Visit Leicester's wider programme of support for tourism businesses and the visitor economy, alongside the Tourism Growth Plan 2026–31. Through regular industry updates, training opportunities, business engagement and destination marketing activity, Visit Leicester works throughout the year to help businesses grow, connect and promote Leicester and Leicestershire to new audiences.
Businesses interested in accessing the latest tourism news, industry insights, training opportunities and networking events can sign up to the Visit Leicester Tourism Business Newsletter. The newsletter provides regular updates and ensures businesses remain connected to support, opportunities and developments across the sector all year round.
