COVENTRY isn’t doing enough to promote itself to tourists or even visitors once they have arrived in the city, say City of Culture bosses.
It’s one of the first things they identified that needs to change.
Many heritage campaigners, residents and some politicians have been saying it for years – with our cultural gems unpromoted and some often closed.
The starting point to improve matters before 2021 has been to ensure city hotels provide information about Coventry’s cultural attractions – not just those in Warwickshire or Birmingham.
New ‘Cov’ leaflet racks have been designed to hold flyers, brochures and maps that give people staying in the city an understanding of things to see and do in Coventry as well as events taking place.
They are a contemporary design in wood and etched pink perspex and have been placed in hotels by Coventry City of Culture Trust and Coventry City Council as part of Cultural Destinations, supported by Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Fund.
Jacqui Ibbotson, Great Place Project Manager of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said it was vital for the city to promote its cultural gems to visitors.
She said: “As part of the research undertaken during the bid to be UK City of Culture, it was clear that we didn’t do enough as a city to promote what was here – even to those who were already in Coventry.
“If you stayed in a hotel, there was information on Birmingham and south Warwickshire – and even further afield – but little or nothing about what was happening in Coventry.
“The new leaflet racks are a great starting point and there are ten of them in and around the city – mainly in hotels – so that people who stay here can find out a bit more about what’s going on and take in one or more of the attractions.
“We think they look great and certainly catch the eye.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, went along to Coombe Abbey Hotel to see how the racks were being put to good use.
He said: “Coventry is a great place to visit and the UK City of Culture 2021 will only enhance the city’s reputation.
“When visitors are here in Coventry, we need to shout about what’s on offer. We want people to enjoy their experience and we want tourists and visitors to spend their money in our city. This is all part of the city’s wider economic growth.”
