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Here's where you'll find the latest news, articles and inspiration from the Visit West Travel Trade, including new openings and developments, itinerary ideas, which events you can meet us at, and opportunities you can get involved with.

We're out in the region and across the industry all year round, hosting familiarisation trips, attending trade shows, and keeping a close eye on everything that makes Bristol, Bath and beyond a destination that should be at the top of your sales charts.

There's also always something happening in Bristol, Bath and the West of England, always something on the horizon, and loads of historic links to entice your clients. Whether it's a new opening or a festival putting us on the global map, here is where we'll update you on developments and refurbishments, awards and accolades, and big regional news that could shape your next itinerary idea.

Take a look and find out more about what makes the West of England among the UK's most compelling destinations.

Accessibility

Visit Bristol launches new Bristol Quiet Areas Map to improve accessibility

3 min read

The Visit Bristol website – produced by Visit West, the Local Visitor Economy Partnership for…

3 people sat on decking next to Bristol Harbour

News

Visit West announces bold new identity

3 min read

Visit West, the official Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the West of England, has today…

Bath

Gordon Ramsay's iconic Bread Street Kitchen & Bar to open at DoubleTree by Hilton Bath

3 min read

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Global’s iconic Bread Street Kitchen & Bar is set to open in…

Sustainability

Sustainability Case Study: Wake The Tiger

5 min read

Wake The Tiger is a trailblazing attraction in Bristol, the UK's first Amazement Park, and has…

Bristol

Over 120 hot air balloons set to soar at the 2026 Fiesta

4 min read

The skies above Bristol are set to come alive once more as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta…

Bristol

Bristol Light Festival announces dates for 2027

3 min read

Following its biggest and most ambitious year yet, Bristol Light Festival will return to the city…

Bristol

Daily direct services between Bristol and Oxford return

3 min read

Direct services between Bristol Temple Meads, Swindon and Oxford will run every two hours from…

A GWR train travelling at speed on the train track - Credit Great Western Railway

Travel Trade

Bristol becomes Europe’s largest live street art gallery

3 min read

UPFEST returns to Bristol, transforming Bedminster and Southville into a huge open-air gallery as…

Louis Masai painting at Upfest 2016 in Bedminster, Bristol - Credit Plaster

Sustainability

Sustainability Case Study: De Vere Tortworth Court

5 min read

This grand country house hotel has taken meaningful steps to reduce its environmental impact and…

De Vere Tortworth Court Hotel Hero Image

Bath

The Roman Baths named among world’s top attractions by TripAdvisor

2 min read

The Roman Baths has been named one of the world’s very best visitor attractions, securing a…

Bath

A Musical Journey Across America at the American Museum & Gardens

2 min read

This July, as part of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the…

Bath

Bath Pride blooms for a third year

1 min read

Bath Pride will return on Saturday 22 August 2026, marking its third year as a growing fixture in…

Bath

Visit West relaunches regional Convention Bureau service

3 min read

Visit West, the official Local Visitor Economy Partnership for Bristol, Bath and the West of…

Bristol

UPFEST unveils artists for 2026 as 300-strong line-up set to transform Bristol

4 min read

UPFEST has unveiled its lineup of artists for its highly anticipated 2026 festival, offering an…

Bristol

Regional businesses say Bristol Airport is critical for the economy

3 min read

Businesses in the South West believe Bristol Airport plays a critical role in the local economy and…

Bristol

Fine dining meets flight at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

4 min read

Masters of fire‑led fine dining, Pasture will once again run an on‑site restaurant…

Fine dining at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Sustainability

6 tips for a sustainable stay in Bristol, 10 years on from Green Capital of Europe

6 min read

In 2015, Bristol became the first UK city to be named European Green Capital, recognised for its…

One of the floating seed gardens at Finzels Reach in central Bristol - credit Bristol City Council

Film West

Bristol helps set the scene for Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock

6 min read

Director Guy Ritchie’s highly anticipated new Prime Video series Young Sherlock, starring…

Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dónal Finn and Natascha McElhone in Young Sherlock

Bath

Bath locations star in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials

3 min read

Look out for key Bath locations that provided the backdrop for the latest Agatha Christie…

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials filming in Bath - credit B&NES Film Office

News

Travel trends: What visitors are looking for in 2026

8 min read

Having read our fair share of reports, roundups and predictions, we thought we'd do our own…

Itineraries & Opportunities

Category: Trade Opportunities

An exterior view of Cheddar Gorge, near Bristol

Rethinking Your Itinerary: The England you already know... but better!

Jul. 27, 2026

Introducing a new destination or itinerary to your clients can feel like a risk. It takes time, confidence, and a compelling reason to move away from tried-and-tested products. But sometimes, the greatest opportunity isn't discovering somewhere completely new – it's presenting a familiar destination…

How to grow your tourism business for free

Jul. 22, 2026

VisitBritain/VisitEngland’s relaunched Business Advice Hub provides free resources to help England tourism businesses grow. The Tourism Business Hub is a practical online resource designed to help tourism businesses grow and succeed. Whether you're looking to attract more international visitors…

Destination Triage – Send Us Your Enquiry

Jul. 16, 2026

We're here to help. The travel trade landscape is changing. International booking windows are now shorter than ever, with itineraries that were once planned many months in advance often being confirmed just a few weeks before travel. At the same time, more travellers are choosing to book through…

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Latest news

Visit Bristol launches new Bristol Quiet Areas Map to improve accessibility

Visit West announces bold new identity

Gordon Ramsay's iconic Bread Street Kitchen & Bar to open at DoubleTree by Hilton Bath

Sustainability Case Study: Wake The Tiger

Over 120 hot air balloons set to soar at the 2026 Fiesta

Bristol Light Festival announces dates for 2027

Daily direct services between Bristol and Oxford return

Bristol becomes Europe’s largest live street art gallery

Sustainability Case Study: De Vere Tortworth Court

The Roman Baths named among world’s top attractions by TripAdvisor

A Musical Journey Across America at the American Museum & Gardens

Bath Pride blooms for a third year

Visit West relaunches regional Convention Bureau service

UPFEST unveils artists for 2026 as 300-strong line-up set to transform Bristol

Regional businesses say Bristol Airport is critical for the economy

Fine dining meets flight at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

6 tips for a sustainable stay in Bristol, 10 years on from Green Capital of Europe

Bristol helps set the scene for Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock

Bath locations star in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials

Travel trends: What visitors are looking for in 2026

Itineraries & Opportunities

Category: Trade Opportunities

Rethinking Your Itinerary: The England you already know... but better!

How to grow your tourism business for free

Destination Triage – Send Us Your Enquiry

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