Discover support offered by Visit Winchester
Visit Winchester
Welcome to Winchester, where history meets modernity, nestled in the heart of Hampshire, Winchester is a quintessentially English city boasting a rich heritage, picturesque landscapes, and a vibrant community.
The lead body for destination marketing and champion of the tourism industry in the Winchester district is the Tourism & Economy team at Winchester City Council. The team manage the Visit Winchester consumer-facing brand and support sustainable destination development and growth of the local visitor economy. As well as attracting visitors to Winchester district, the team work closely with local tourism and hospitality businesses to offer tailored support and guidance through a variety of channels.
Partnership Packages
The best way to get the most out of our support is to join our partnership and marketing programme, where you will receive bespoke promotion and advertising. Our main aims are to raise awareness of the Winchester district and generate additional tourism visits and spend.
Our Partnership & Marketing Programme offers businesses across the local visitor economy the chance to work more closely with the Visit Winchester team to shape and grow the local visitor economy. Our main aims are to raise awareness of the Winchester district and generate additional tourism visits and spend.
Attractions Partnership
Silver partners and above are invited to the Attractions partnership.
A valuable opportunity to meet with other attractions and activity providers from across the district to discuss marketing opportunities, explore the latest trends and share best practices.
These meetings offer an opportunity to come together with other local businesses working within the visitor economy to share insights and knowledge, offer mutual support and advice as well as explore opportunities to work in partnership.
Discover Winchester
Our platinum package gives access to our Discover Winchester meetings. These meetings are designed to support those businesses that are looking to expand their offer and upsell their business to a national and international market.
Discover Winchester work with a PR consultant to shape upcoming marketing campaigns, tailor content for specific audiences and compile stories that truly showcase the local offer.
Members also have the opportunity to be included in press itineraries and host journalists, influencers, and travel writers. To find out more about Discover Winchester call 01962 848 540 or email advertising@winchester.gov.uk.
Meet in Winchester
Whether you're a college, university, hotel, small hall or grand cathedral, if you're hosting meetings, conferences and events this group can support you.
A valuable opportunity to meet with other venues from across the district to work together to promote Winchester district as an ideal location for meetings, conferences and events.
These meetings offer an opportunity to come together with other local businesses working within hospitality to share insights and knowledge, offer mutual support and advice as well as explore opportunities to work in partnership. Winchester offers the perfect backdrop to Meet in Winchester.
Made in Winchester
Winchester is bustling with local ‘makers’ and independent businesses tucked away down side streets or nestled in the back garden of someone’s home.
From wasabi and trout to lavender and gin, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to local food and drink. Winchester's independent stores are bursting with unique and unusual. The VIC also offers a regularly rotated stock of makes from local artists.
Made in Winchester is designed to share the voices of homegrown creatives, business owners and independents. We're celebrating locally made arts, crafts, food and drink, showcasing the unique craftsmanship and heritage of all things Made in Winchester.
The Visitor Information Centre
The Winchester Visitor Information Centre (VIC) was awarded VIC of the Year 2023 in the Beautiful South Tourism Awards and attracts an annual footfall of over 80,000 visitors.
The centre has all things Winchester in one location - places to visit, accommodation, transport, maps of the area, walks and trails. Our cheerful team of knowledgeable staff can provide help and advice on a wide range of subjects.
The centre is also a beautiful shop showcasing some of Winchester’s finest local produce from our districts award-winning independent producers and makers.
Alongside this, the centre has several advertising options such as leaflet display and display screen adverts. There is also an exhibition area, suitable for small scale exhibitions, it's previously played host to book launches, attraction exhibitions, school project displays and local community projects.
Information for local businesses
Training opportunities
Tourism South East offer some great training courses. What’s more, many of them are FREE to eligible businesses so now’s the time to get to grips with search engine optimisation or brush up on your upselling – visit Tourism South East’s training pages to find out more.
Thinking of starting a business
If you would like some advice on setting up a new tourism business in Winchester please contact our visitor information centre on 01962 840 500 or email and we will send you a starter pack.
Business Support Service
Winchester City Council offers support and advice to businesses located in the Winchester district. The service provides one to one business advice, training, networking and mentoring. For more information please visit the Winchester City Council website.
