Cotswold Tourism is leading a new tourism project, which is set to launch to the international travel trade industry in 2019.

The project will help to promote tourism across the wider Cotswolds region, following Cotswold Tourism's success in gaining £250,000 of funding through the government's £40 million Discover England Fund.

The 'Uncover the Cotswolds' project should boost inbound tourism, with a focus on attracting visitors from the Nordic markets, Italy and Spain. The aim will be to disperse visitors across the wider region and provide them with greater access to authentic local experiences.

The 2019 tourism year starts with a free training offer for tourism businesses in the Cotswold area which offer unique experiences.

The first course will take place at Tewkesbury Park Hotel on 18th January. The morning session will cover how to develop an experience, including how to create a package with other local businesses, as well as understanding more about the 'Uncover the Cotswolds' project. There will then be an opportunity for businesses to network and then focus in the afternoon on how to enable online bookings for venues and attractions.

The same course will run again at Rodbourough on 21st January and Moreton-in-Marsh on 22nd January.

Sally Graff, project leader for Cotswolds Tourism, said: "I am delighted that Cotswolds Tourism has secured this £250,000 funding and I would like to thank all our partners involved in the project. Working with local businesses, we want to develop authentic year round local tourism experiences, and create tours which can be booked in totality or in part, via tour operators, with different budget options available.

"I would encourage tourism businesses in the area to liaise with Cotswolds Tourism and sign up for the free training sessions we are providing, Tourism is an important sector driving the local economy and we want to help everyone to exploit any opportunities to the full."

Tourism businesses in Gloucestershire also have another opportunity to learn more about the work being done locally to promote tourism at a Gloucestershire tourism forum being held at Kingsholm Rugby Club on 31st January, organised with Marketing Gloucester. This event will have workshops, speakers and updates to ensure tourism businesses can adapt to new trends in tourism, including the impact of digital marketing and accessible tourism.

To find out more about Uncover the Cotswolds or to book onto one of the workshops go to https://www.cotswolds.com/partnership/uncover-the-cotswolds