New partnership aims to promote Plymouth

23 July 2009

A new partnership initiative has been launched, which for the first time ever will see Plymouth promoted to a UK-wide audience for fly-stay mini breaks.

Experience Plymouth is a collaboration between the city’s own airline, Air Southwest, and area tourism partnership Visit Plymouth, and features seven of the city’s leading hotels in a programme of flight-inclusive short breaks.

Experience Plymouth (launched today at experienceplymouth.co.uk) allows visitors from London, Scotland or the North of England to book two night breaks in Plymouth, including flights and transfers, from £178 per person.

The breaks will be promoted to more than 200,000 Air Southwest customers across the UK through the airline’s regular e-newsletter, and to thousands more prospective visitors through Visit Plymouth.

Hotels included under the Experience Plymouth banner include Jurys Inn Plymouth, the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Copthorne Hotel Plymouth, Kitley House Hotel, Holiday Inn Plymouth, the New Continental Hotel and Elfordleigh. Packages include flights to Plymouth with Air Southwest from London City Airport, London Gatwick, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle and Glasgow.

Air Southwest’s Commercial Director, Mike Coombes, said: “In the current economic climate the high cost of visiting eurozone destinations means that there has never been a better time to enjoy holidays here in the UK. Air Southwest brings Devon within each reach of 11 destinations across our route network and I’m confident that our great value Plymouth weekend packages will be popular with the growing short-breaks market and provide a welcome boost to local businesses.”

Andrew Huckerby, Chairman of Visit Plymouth said: “Summer is an excellent time to visit Plymouth and enjoy the diverse range of exciting events offered through the Plymouth Summer Festival. We’re delighted to team up with Air Southwest to offer such an excellent package to promote Plymouth as an ideal destination for a short break.”