HAMPSHIRE, PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTHAMPTON
LOCAL VISITOR ECONOMY PARTNERSHIP
About the LVEP
Useful Documents
The national LVEP programme, developed and administered by VisitEngland, is a result of key recommendations following the Government's independent de Bois review of Destination Management Organisation in England. The national LVEP programme creates a portfolio of high-performing partnerships working locally, regionally and nationally on shared priorities and targets to support the growth of the national visitor sector.
As a collaborative approach, Tourism South East takes the strategic lead, delivered in partnership with Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, Winchester City Council and working with the local authorities and key stakeholders across the region.
The formation of the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton LVEP is seen as a great opportunity to elevate the visitor economy, collaborating with local businesses, the National Parks and stakeholders to showcase the region’s unique attractions and drive sustainable growth. With the potential to attract new investment, create jobs, and showcase the rich experiences our area has to offer.
Hampshire's Visitor Economy
It is estimated that around 3.2 million overnight tourism trips were made to Hampshire in 2022. Of these trips, domestic visitors made 87% of trips and overseas visitors made 13% of trips. In total, it is estimated that around £902.9 million was spent by all overnight visitors on their trip to Hampshire in 2022 (domestic visitor 75% and overseas 25%).
It is estimated that around 27.5 million tourism day trips were made to Hampshire in 2022, resulting in an expenditure of £1.1 million. It is estimated that 151,912 direct and indirect jobs were supported by tourism in Hampshire in 2022, 8.2% of all jobs in Hampshire. Many of these jobs are part-time or seasonal in nature and are spread across a wide range of service sectors from catering and retail to public service jobs such as in local government, and not just tourism.
Hampshire County is served by Hampshire County Council and the unitary authorities of Portsmouth and Southampton. There are 11 local districts, boroughs and city councils: Winchester City Council, New Forest District Council, Test Valley Council, East Hants District Council, Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council, Havant Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart District Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, and Eastleigh Borough Council.
Just 1 hour from London by road and rail. Hampshire is well serviced by air with Southampton and Farnborough International Airports within the county Regular ferry and hovercraft services operate from Portsmouth and Southampton across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and across Portsmouth’s harbours and Southampton Water. The county offers two successful ports and cruise propositions, which together connect Hampshire to global destinations and international markets.
Hampshire demonstrates a large coverage of nationally important protected areas, covering a total area of 144,000 hectares. The country’s oldest National Park, the New Forest, covers 140,000 acres. The newest National Park, the South Downs, covers an area from the east of the county and into Sussex.
