£300k for North West's coastal regions

The government has announced £300,000 of support for coastal regions in the North West.

Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, Stephanie Peacock made the announcement at the Tourism Alliance Annual Conference.

VisitEngland is launching a £300,000 marketing campaign focused on the seaside resorts of the North West coast, with the aim of driving a surge in visits and overnight stays.

The campaign will launch in February 2026, with VisitEngland partnering with an online travel agent who will provide match funding.

It will be delivered in collaboration with three key Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) for the region: Marketing Lancashire, Liverpool City Region, and Cumbria Tourism.

Peacock said: "British travellers support jobs, connectivity and aviation links that are vital to our economy. A thriving outbound sector complements inbound growth; keeping the UK open, competitive and connected to the world.

"The UK visitor economy is a national treasure. It directly contributes over £58 billion to the UK economy. It directly employs over 1.2 million people. It is a source of both soft power and national pride.

"As you can see, there is a lot to feel positive about. However I acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead in an increasingly competitive global market. These challenges are not a task for the government alone. It requires your expertise, investment and strong partnership."