Discover Rutland aims to develop and grow a sustainable tourism economy in Rutland through brand awareness, income generation and partnership working.
This is the section of the website where you can keep up to date with the latest information and opportunities happening within the tourism industry and find out about how to get involved through our membership and advertising opportunities.
About Discover Rutland – the official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for England’s smallest, and greatest, county!
Who and What is Discover Rutland
Discover Rutland is the destination and promotional brand for tourism in Rutland, it sits within Rutland County Council, but is self funded predominantly by it’s membership scheme, and it’s activity is determined by the Discover Rutland Tourism Committee (DRTC), a group of volunteers from local businesses.
To help explain the structure of Discover Rutland, we have produced this Discover Rutland organisational chart.
Please find a list of Tourism Committee Members here.
What we do
The main aim of the DRMC is to help it’s members, this is done by providing a strong marketing platform for the county through the website, social media and providing useful literature such as a seasonal visitor guide and tourist maps.
We also provide an essential gateway for attracting and satisfying journalists enquiries, and communicating with the wider regional, national and international tourism partners.
Being a rural county with predominantly smaller businesses, we understand providing important industry information (such as funding) and relevant opportunities (such as free workshops) is a key service we provide to member. See our news page for the latest updates.
Networking opportunities is also of high importance. Prior to covid, we ran ‘Tourism Talk & Tour’ events every other month to provide an informal opportunity to get together, have a look around a different business and discuss business. We also held a Discover Rutland Ball annually to both raise marketing funds and give the industry a chance to have a ‘knees up’ after the peak season. Plus there’s our annual tourism in November which highlights what work has been achieved and what the future plans are.
Discover Rutland Annual Tourism Forum 2023
The Discover Rutland Tourism Committee held their annual forum on Monday 15th January 2024 at The Barnsdale, with an open invite to anyone with an interest in local tourism to hear the committee report on the past 12 months and the plans for the coming year.
You can view the slides from the recent Discover Rutland Forum here.
If you are interested in becoming more involved in the Discover Rutland Tourism Committee, please email [email protected]
Business Support
Rutland County Council - Business Page
As Rutland is part of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Rutland businesses can access all the useful support and development material available at Business Visit Lincolnshire, including The Green Tourism Toolkit and a variety of bitesize online business masterclasses.
Our Growth Hub Advisor for Rutland is Amy Clark from Business Lincolnshire; [email protected] | 07825 262824
Covid related:
Rutland County Council - Covid-19 Community Information, Advice and Support Hub includes links to their dedicated crisis helpline for anyone in Rutland who needs help, plus updated advice for residents and businesses, including information on funding, rates relief, and other advice.
VisitBritain Business Advice Hub: Helping your tourism business to grow - with practical tips, legal obligations and local support. This includes the latest industry advice on Covid-19, and also guidence on preparing your business for Brexit.
Apply for VisitBritian's free industry standard 'We're Good to Go' which is now partnered with World Travel & Tourism Council's 'Safe Travel' standard
Get your business specific NHS QR Code
VisitBritain are providing free online recovery webinars to assist tourism businesses, you can watch past webinars and sign up to benefit from future ones.
Rutland is part of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). You can sign up to receive their updates here.