NCTA England’s Coast November Update

"We very much welcomed the Independent Review on Destination Management by Nick de Bois published last month, which gave a comprehensive and robust assessment of the challenges and opportunities currently facing DMOs. We see this as a positive step in addressing the fundamental structure of destination management.

In response, we have submitted a proposal with three key points of feedback, not least the need for a Coastal Destination Development Partnership. Read our full response here.

We also made a submission to the Treasury ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review. Whilst the tourism industry was not a key focus of last month’s Autumn Budget Statement, it was encouraging to see the 50% business rates discount for the hospitality sector which will affect not only hospitality but retail and leisure sectors, so a positive move for the majority of visitor-facing businesses on the coast. Eligible businesses can claim the 50% discount on their bills up to £110,000, making it one of the single biggest tax cuts to business rates in decades.

We are now looking ahead to 2022 and beyond. With the opening of the England Coast Path by the end of next year – the longest marked coastal path in the world, we are launching 2023 Year of the Coast. This will be marked by a packed calendar of events taking place around the entire English coastline, celebrating anniversaries, new openings, maritime history, food festivals, sports and music, sustainable experiences and much more.

This is an exciting opportunity for the coast - do become part of it and send us all your news however big or small!"

Read the full newsletter here