As part of VisitEngland’s national strategy to streamline and strengthen tourism leadership across the country, Devon has proudly been established as a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP). This milestone marks a significant step in ensuring the county’s already thriving visitor economy continues to grow through collaboration, strategic governance, and inclusive planning.

A Strategic Partnership for a Thriving Destination

Devon’s LVEP—Devon and Partners—is a powerful public/private sector alliance uniting local authorities, destination management organisations, and tourism businesses. Together, they are tasked with delivering robust destination management, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, and aligning local efforts with regional and national tourism priorities.

With the third largest visitor economy in England, Devon’s natural assets speak for themselves—two National Parks, the UK’s first National Marine Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, nearly 700 kilometres of coastline, and over 6,700 square kilometres of stunning countryside.

But Devon’s LVEP is about more than beauty—it's about building a world-class, inclusive tourism experience for everyone.

Accessibility: A Shared Priority with National Backing

One of the core priorities for Devon’s LVEP is improving accessibility information for visitors. In support of this, VisitEngland has partnered with AccessAble to help businesses provide detailed, accurate accessibility guides.

Through national funding, Devon tourism and hospitality businesses can now receive discounts when signing up to AccessAble’s trusted accessibility scheme—offering real benefits not only to disabled visitors but also to the bottom line of businesses.

Why Detailed Access Information Matters

Accessibility isn't a ‘nice-to-have’—it's essential. Here’s why:

  • 16 million disabled people and 4.9 million carers live in the UK. They actively seek out venues that can meet their needs.
  • 98% of disabled people look for access information before visiting a venue for the first time.
  • 3 in 4 will choose not to visit if they can’t find the information they need.
  • The Purple Pound—the collective spending power of disabled people and their families—stands at £274 billion per year.

Accessibility is not just about wheelchair ramps. It includes a vast range of needs: neurodivergence, visual or hearing impairments, chronic conditions, and more. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, which is why trusted, accurate, and tailored information is key.

A Step-Change for Devon's Visitor Experience

AccessAble currently supports over 6 million users annually, helping them make confident decisions about where to visit, stay, and spend. For Devon, this is an opportunity to close the information gap and ensure that no one is excluded due to a lack of information.

Devon and Partners believe this initiative can be a game-changer—but it relies on the support of the region’s businesses to truly make a difference.

Get Involved

If your business operates in Devon’s visitor economy, now is the time to act. Signing up with AccessAble not only positions your venue as inclusive and welcoming—it also opens doors to new audiences and untapped revenue.

Learn more and get started today: https://devonandpartners.youraccessibilityguide.co.uk

Let’s work together to make Devon a destination that works for everyone.