Destination Coventry named New Business of the Year

Destination Coventry, which launched in November 2021, has been named New Business of the Year at the CoventryLive and WarwickshireLive Business Awards.

Destination Coventry leads on marketing Coventry and the wider Warwickshire region as a visitor destination, both nationally and internationally.

It is a collaboration between Coventry City Council and Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and includes two well-established consumer-facing brands, Visit Coventry and Conference Coventry and Warwickshire.

The award was presented in a ceremony held at Coombe Abbey Hotel, where the best of business from across the region was recognised in an evening of celebration.

The evening also saw Destination Coventry apprentice Dan McDermott named as a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year category.

Since launching 12 months ago, Destination Coventry has welcomed more than 70 members and curated a range of marketing campaigns to boost the region’s visitor economy.

The membership also includes seven Patron members, including Coventry Building Society Arena, No Ordinary Hospitality Management, CV Life, Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City of Culture Trust, Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust and Amadeus, part of the NEC Group.

Work has included a Winter Wishes YouTube campaign video amassing 1.3 million views in a week and a video for its food and drink campaign surpassing 500,000 views in one week.

Destination Coventry has also supported businesses to access financial support and grants during what has been, and continues to be, a difficult time for the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector.

Paul Jones, managing director of Destination Coventry, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have won this award and it is a testament to everything that the team here has achieved over the last 12 months.

“To top off our first year with the title of Best New Business is a fantastic and fitting accolade, and we would like to thank CoventryLive and WarwickshireLive for recognising us in this way.

“Partnership is at the heart of everything that we do and we wouldn’t have been able to have such a successful first year without the unwavering support and belief of Coventry City Council, the Chamber, our board, patrons and members.

“This is just the start and we will be continuing our efforts to make Coventry and Warwickshire one of the premier destinations for both leisure and business tourism, alongside providing ongoing support and guidance to the businesses that are the backbone of the sector.”