East Midlands Airport backs Nottingham 2023 bid
East Midlands Airport backs Nottingham’s bid to be European city of culture 2023.
The airport, which is the region’s gateway to mainland Europe (as well as the US and Mexico), is backing Nottingham in the hope that, should the city be successful with its bid, the East Midlands’ economy will benefit from a boost to tourism.
Both Liverpool and Glasgow, former UK European cities of culture, benefitted from increased numbers of tourists and visitors. East Midlands Airport bosses hope that if Nottingham does succeed with its bid, then people from overseas and far flung places in the UK may choose to fly into the region to visit.
The East Midlands is a destination in its own right for visitors. What with the likes of the international attention that Richard III has generated in Leicester, and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, to this summer’s Doomsday exhibition at Lincoln Castle and a new visitor centre under construction at Sherwood Forest, the region has much to offer. And East Midlands Airport is perfectly placed for visitors who want to explore the area and much of central England.
Howard Ebison, East Midlands Airport’s Commercial Director, says: “People are drawn to creative and dynamic places. UK European cities of culture attract many people and it would be fantastic for Nottingham, and the wider East Midlands, if it became a destination of choice for European tourists. From East Midlands Airport visitors can easily explore Nottingham and the whole region. And with places like Lincoln, Northampton, Rugby, Coventry, Stratford, Warwick and Birmingham all within an hour’s drive, there is much for people to do and see while they’re here.”
Paul Russ, Chair of the Nottingham 2023 bid board, said: “It’s fantastic to have the support of East Midlands Airport on this project, as it is the main gateway to the city for European visitors. If we’re successful in securing this title for Nottingham, we’ll be working closely with East Midlands Airport to attract European visitors to the city, to explore the cultural offering here, and increase our cultural exchange with the continent.”
East Midlands Airport has ambitions plans for growth and is forecasting to double the number of passengers that fly from it to 10 million people.
Howard concludes: “If the East Midlands increases its appeal to overseas visitors, then it strengthens the business case for adding to the number of destinations to which people can fly from the airport. This benefits local people who want a wider choice of destinations to travel to, and it makes it easier for many more people throughout the world to visit all that we have to offer on our doorstep.”