Discover Inverclyde, the tourism, leisure, retail and arts forum is launching its much improved and updated website at the end of March as one of a number of initiatives to help secure the future success of the area as a tourist destination. Supported by Inverclyde Council, as part of its Tourism Strategy, Riverside Inverclyde, Greenock Chamber of Commerce and Visit Scotland, Discover Inverclyde is viewed as a major opportunity to change perceptions of the area and create a more positive profile and greater economic prosperity for the area and its people.
With tourism intending to play an increasingly significant role in the future of Inverclyde, it is important to promote the area as a first class visitor destination – Discover Inverclyde aims to do this through businesses involved in tourism, retail, leisure and the arts. It is directed by a volunteer board of local business people, including Sharon Murdoch from Fun World, Lynsey Anderson from the Oakmall and Andy McGilp from Inverclyde Leisure.
Chris Jewell, a Director of Discover Inverclyde said: “Inverclyde has much to offer and the Discover Inverclyde team aims to promote the area to a wide audience, including day trippers from outside the area, as well as encouraging locals to enjoy all the attractions on their doorstep. The website will also offer attractive advertising and marketing opportunities to members, as well as offering a programme of regular activities aimed at boosting the number of visitors to the area. We also hope that Discover Inverclyde will act as an effective group through which all the various parties keen to promote Inverclyde can work together to greater benefit than working separately and unknown to each other.”
Inverclyde Council’s Convener of Regeneration Councillor Jim Clocherty added: “Inverclyde’s Tourism Strategy aims to provide a focus for the community of Inverclyde, together with other partners such as Scottish Enterprise, Visit Scotland and the businesses that provide services to visitors when they come to the area. We see Discover Inverclyde as an integral part of our Tourism Strategy which aims to pull all of the elements into place to make Inverclyde a vibrant and prosperous destination in its own right. We are perfectly placed with a rich natural and cultural heritage to persuade the thousands of visitors who pass through Inverclyde every year they don’t have to go any further to have a first class experience.”
Stuart McMillan MSP agrees: “As an Inverclyde resident and a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism committee I am always promoting the area and I am keen to highlight what there is to do and see in Inverclyde. I therefore welcome the new Discover Inverclyde website and believe it has the potential to enhance the Inverclyde’s reputation and focus minds on the many positives Inverclyde has to offer. I hope the new website will allow people from outwith the area to actually discover Inverclyde.”
A marketing campaign to encourage local businesses involved in tourism, leisure, retail and the arts to join Discover Inverclyde as members is currently underway while the new website is finalised. The website will include details of all of the great places to visit and where to eat, as well as places to stay, with something for all budgets and tastes and also news of local events and initiatives. Members of Discover Inverclyde will be able to enjoy a wide range of benefits, including member events, promotional opportunities and enhanced entries for their businesses on the new website.
“We would encourage as many local business involved in tourism, leisure, retail and the arts to become members of Discover Inverclyde”, added Chris. “Membership information will be on the site and its low cost offers real benefits and also a forum to develop new tourism related ideas and initiatives”.
For further information, please contact:
Fiona Riddell, PR & Marketing Consultant for Discover Inverclyde
T: 01475 522901 ~ M: 07866 167999 ~ E: fionariddell@aol.com
Chris Jewell, Director, Discover Inverclyde
T: 01475 783000 ~ E: chrisj@newvisionprint.co.uk
Matt Bingham, Communications Officer (Media Relations), Inverclyde Council
T: 01475 712920 ~ M: 07825 584629 ~ E: matt.bingham@inverclyde.gov.uk
www.discoverinverclyde.com will be live from the beginning of April