Experience Oxfordshire publishes new guide in bid to woo back tourists

Experience Oxfordshire, the Destination Management Organisation for Oxfordshire, has launched the 2022 edition of the Official Oxfordshire Visitor Guide.

The Visitor Guide is packed full of ideas and information, providing visitors and locals to Oxfordshire with the up-to-date insights and inspiration they need to get the most out of experiencing Oxford and Oxfordshire.

With an introduction from top chef and Oxfordshire resident, Raymond Blanc OBE, the 98-page 2022 Guide highlights the outstanding range of attractions, events, leisure activities and accommodation options on offer throughout the county.

Articles on Oxford’s waterways, a walking itinerary along Oxford Canal and an itinerary along Great Western Railway’s Cotswolds Line from Oxford to Worcester as well as advice on public transport encourage and enable exploration of cultural treasures across the whole county.

Snapshot insights into Oxford nightlife, student life, where the locals live, best places for afternoon tea, and Oxfordshire’s quirkiest traditions, provide a great introduction to visitors new to the county. The Guide also features a range of weekend and day-trip itineraries, plus information about and highlights of each Oxfordshire district.

As well as being packed full of features, there’s advice from Oxfordshire’s locals and a directory-style listings section of accommodation, activity, and restaurant recommendations to help visitors easily plan their trip.

Speaking about this year’s Visitor Guide, Hayley Beer-Gamage, Chief Executive of Experience Oxfordshire commented:

“The 2022 Visitor Guide showcases the many, delightful, things there are to see and do across Oxfordshire and the city of Oxford.

"It’s providing tourists and locals with inspiration on places to stay, places to eat and explore – including some wonderful hidden treasures.

"During this year, as our sector works to build back tourism, our focus is on encouraging overnight stays from both domestic and international visitors The Visitor Guide features fantastic reasons for extending a stay, ensuring an increased spend per visit.

"In doing so, we create the best balance of impact and contribution to the county. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our world-class destination.”

The guide was created by Oxfordshire-based marketing agency XIST2.

Last month, Experience Oxfordshire said the pandemic had led to a 59 per cent decline in the value of tourism in the county, from £2.5 billion to £1 billion and a 39 per cent decline in the number of jobs supported by tourism, from 42,000 to 25,000.

The guide can be viewed online at https://www.experienceoxfordshire.org/oxfordshire-visitor-guide