February 18, 2025
Area Guide / Manchester
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Greater Manchester has launched an ambitious five-year strategy aimed at driving sustainable and inclusive growth across its visitor economy. The plan was unveiled last month at a packed event at The Midland Hotel in Manchester, outlining key priorities and targets that will cement the city-region as a leading UK and European destination.
Building on Success
Over the past two decades, Greater Manchester has transformed into a thriving hub for tourism, entertainment, and culture. With world-class entertainment venues, such as Co-Op Live which opened last May, a booming hospitality sector, and a packed calendar of events, the city-region has seen a surge in visitors. This new strategy sets the foundation for even greater growth, with a strong focus on sustainability, accessibility, and economic impact.
Vision for 2030
The strategy outlines five major goals to be achieved by the end of the decade:
Becoming the most visited UK city-region outside London and ranking among the top 20 European destinations.
Increasing international visitors, with 30% of Manchester Airport passengers coming from abroad.
Boosting the economic impact of tourism to £15 billion.
Ensuring fair wages, with all visitor economy employees earning at least the Real Living Wage.
Leading in sustainability, aiming to be the most eco-friendly English city and a top-50 global destination on the Global Destination Sustainability Index.
These are ambitious targets, but Greater Manchester have mentioned four core areas to focus on:
Creating a sense of place – Manchester’s visitor economy is strongly built on the city’s values and personality. Raising its profile and awareness of all that the city has to offer, by encouraging sustainable and inclusive growth, will inspire and reinforce a deep sense of place and pride.
Attracting and delivering major events – Greater Manchester flourished best when hosting; with a distinctive passion and fun, it’s creating an atmosphere unlike any other. The visitor economy thrives on this success and will support the city-region to do more of what it does best: put on spectacular events year-round.
Enhancing the visitor offer and experience – Greater Manchester is home to an abundance of world-class experiences that inspire passion and fascination within our visitors. As the city-region continues to grow, the visitor economy will continue to enhance its offer by developing innovative new products and experiences; adapting along the way to reflect changing audiences, emerging trends, and sustainable practices.
Providing greater connectivity – connection enables our visitor economy, assisting visitors on their journey to Greater Manchester – from research to arrival – as well as shaping their overall experience on the ground. Improvements will ensure that our visitor economy can be effortlessly explored and enjoyed by all.
A Commitment to Sustainable Growth
The strategy places a strong emphasis on ensuring tourism benefits local communities, businesses, and the environment. Tourism Minister Sir Chris Bryant praised the initiative, highlighting Greater Manchester’s potential as a model for responsible and inclusive growth.
With this roadmap in place, the city-region is set to elevate its global standing and deliver long-term economic and social benefits for residents and visitors alike.
Invest in Manchester
Manchester is already one of the UK’s biggest cities. With millions of pounds worth of investment lined up for the city, its growth isn’t slowing down any time soon. Supply and demand in the city are severely imbalanced, which allows property investors to capitalise on stronger yields.
Whilst the city grows, so do house prices. In the last 10 years, property prices in Manchester have risen by more than 50%. City centre apartments hold long-term value, and investing in them not only provides regular returns but also an appreciating asset with high demand.
Contact our team to discuss your opportunities.
