The Midlands Engine Strategy includes significant investment in skills, connectivity and local growth, while it sets out how the government plans to drive the region’s huge potential and promote it to the world.
The Strategy notes that importance of heritage and culture to driving growth noting that: ‘Successful places need to be able to attract dynamic, skilled workers who can drive local productivity and growth. The Midlands is well positioned to do this.
The Midlands encompasses some of the most renowned natural, historical and cultural sites in the country. From the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Derwent Valley Mills and Ironbridge Gorge, to the Peak District National Park and the National Forest, the
Midlands has a rich cultural and natural heritage. Reflecting this in 2015, 20.1 million overseas and domestic overnight visits were made to the Midlands, with inbound visits alone contributing £1.25 billion spend. This is in addition to over 230 million day visits. In 2013, the economic value (GVA) of tourism in the Midlands was £6.33 billion.’