About Devon and Partners LVEP

But what exactly is an LVEP?

An LVEP is an officially recognised destination leadership organisation, accredited by VisitEngland. It sits at the heart of the new national framework for managing and growing tourism and the wider visitor economy — a framework born out of the de Bois review and the Government’s desire to simplify, strengthen and professionalise destination leadership across England.

At its core, an LVEP does three things:

First, it provides strategic leadership — operating at a scale that makes sense for visitors, businesses and government alike.

Second, it creates a genuine partnership, bringing together local authorities, destination organisations, national bodies, and the private sector around a shared agenda.

And third, it exists to lead, manage, market and develop the visitor economy in a way that is coherent, collaborative and aligned with national priorities — supporting growth, jobs and investment.

Our Vision

Our ambition is to grow Devon’s visitor economy by £300 million annually by 2030.
Achieving this requires strong partnership working and targeted investment. With the right level of public funding, we can accelerate delivery, boost productivity, and contribute to national priorities for sustainable development, climate action, and regional economic growth.

Our Core Objectives

Grow Visitor Spend
Transition from a predominantly day-trip market to higher-value overnight stays, increasing visitor expenditure and supporting local businesses.

Spread the Benefits
Promote the full breadth of Devon’s destinations, helping to balance visitor flows, strengthen local economies, and support sustainable travel.

Create a Year-Round Economy
Develop a compelling, four-season visitor offer that reduces seasonality, sustains employment, and positions Devon as a vibrant destination throughout the year.

Since our launch, we have: 

• Established a strong, representative Advisory Board
• Built a cross-county partnership for Devon's visitor economy
• Strengthened ties with Visit England
• Developed a Growth Plan

Key Visitor Economy Facts for Devon

• £2.3 billion annual visitor spend
• Supporting over 50,919 jobs (9% of total employment)
• 23.4 million staying visitor nights (international and domestic)
• 23.9 million day visits annually, generating £944 million in spend
• 4,876 tourism businesses supported
• 48,078 serviced accommodation beds

* SWTR Cambridge Model 2022 data