The latest OxTalks podcast – the new series powered by OxLEP – is now available to watch or listen.
In this episode, which is the second in the series, OxLEP welcomes Blenheim chief executive officer Dominic Hare to discuss: 'Destination Oxfordshire: Is tourism the key to all sectors?'.
During the podcast, viewers and listeners learn more about Blenheim's future plans, its commitment to apprenticeships, its response to the pandemic and the pivotal role it plays within the overall Oxfordshire economy.
The podcast also features Blenheim HR apprentice Kelly Huggard – a winner at last year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards – and OxLEP’s Leona Weston who highlights its visitor economy renaissance programme and supporting visitor economy grant scheme, which has recently seen over £650,000 invested into a wide-range of tourism-focused companies in the county.
WATCH: OxTalks - series one, episode two: 'Destination Oxfordshire: Is tourism the key to all sectors?'
OxLEP’s visitor economy renaissance programme is a £1.64 million programme of activity, assisting the recovery of Oxfordshire’s visitor economy.
It is being supported through funding secured by OxLEP via the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund and aims to back the sector’s ongoing re-emergence from Covid-19 through a variety of positive interventions allowing the strengthening of the sector post-pandemic, as well as maintaining and retaining consumer confidence for the industry.
Strategic marketing campaigns supporting the programme are delivered by both Experience Oxfordshire and Cotswolds Tourism Destination Management Organisations (DMOs)
Pre-Covid 19, Oxfordshire had a thriving visitor economy which attracted 30 million visitors a year generating £2.5 billion for the local economy and supporting 40,000 jobs.
OxTalks is hosted by broadcaster Howard Bentham and is recorded at the Oxford studios of Story Ninety-Four.
This latest episode is available in the lead-up English Tourism Week 2023, starting on 17 March.