Visit Birmingham & West Midlands

Meet the Café/Coffee Shop of the Year finalists in the 2026 West Midlands Tourism Awards! This category recognises cafés, coffee shops, and tea rooms that offer innovative service and excellence throughout their entire operation. The 2026 finalists are: ☕ Crumbles Coffee House and Deli 🥐 Ten Steps Coffee Lounge 🍰 The Two Mugs Congratulations to these outstanding venues for brewing up something special in the region! Full list of finalists: https://bit.ly/42jzUhr #WMTA26 #Birmingham #WestMidlands

Did you know that 95% of people with disabilities check accessibility information before visiting a new place, and 77% have avoided venues because they couldn't find this information? Through the Birmingham, Solihull & Black Country Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) with AccessAble, you now have priority access to VisitEngland discounts for Detailed Access Guides - professional, quality-assured accessibility assessments that help you to welcome the £14.6bn accessible tourism market. Get your discounted quote now 👉https://lnkd.in/e9qcDVmu

Introducing the finalists for the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2026: Business Events Venue of the Year! This category recognises business events venues that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the market, exceeding the expectations of their clients and have a strategic plan for future development within this area, with clear goals. This year's finalists are: 👏 Hyatt Regency Birmingham ✨ Malmaison Birmingham 🎉 Warwick Conferences Full list of finalists: https://bit.ly/42jzUhr #WMTA26 #Birmingham #WestMidlands

Birmingham’s cultural calendar continues to shine with events that celebrate the city’s diversity and creativity. Last week, Laura Mvula joined the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) for a powerful and inspiring performance as part of the Classically Black Festival - a celebration of Black Lives in Music that spotlights exceptional Black talent across classical and contemporary genres. The event also welcomed members of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Black Business Collective, reflecting the strength and collaboration within Birmingham’s creative and business communities. As we mark Black History Month, it serves as a timely reminder of the talent, stories, and voices that make Birmingham such a vibrant and inspiring place to live, work, and visit. #VisitBirmingham #BlackHistoryMonth #Birmingham #Culture #CBSO #LauraMvula #BlackLivesInMusic #ClassicallyBlackFestival

As part of VisitEngland’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive tourism industry, a new Welcoming LGBTQIA+ Customers course has been launched- helping businesses better serve this valuable market, worth £7.1 billion in domestic tourism alone. This self-paced, interactive training provides: - Practical strategies and tips for creating an inclusive tourism business - First-hand insights from the LGBTQIA+ community - Market intelligence on the value of LGBTQIA+ travellers to UK tourism The course also shares proven approaches to ensure every customer feels welcome, respected, and included. Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e5QMVqX5

The West Midlands celebrates a record-breaking year for tourism 🎉 The region welcomed an impressive 101.5 million visitors in 2024 - surpassing the 100 million mark for the first time. According to new data from Global Tourism Solutions, commissioned by the West Midlands Growth Company, this milestone represents a 2.9% year-on-year increase - equivalent to 2.84 million additional visitors compared with 2023 – and a rise of six million since 2022, when the region hosted the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. These results highlight the ongoing strength and resilience of the West Midlands’ visitor economy, including concerts, tourism attractions, and major sporting events. Read the full release: https://lnkd.in/e2_SEdMF

Meet the finalists of the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2026! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the nominees for the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award, which celebrates tourism businesses that go above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences for all visitors. This year's finalists are: 🛩️ Royal Air Force Museum Midlands ✨ The Box at FarGo Village 🚨West Midlands Police Museum (Birmingham) Full list of finalists: https://bit.ly/42jzUhr #WMTA26 #Birmingham #WestMidlands

🗣️“We can’t wait to welcome even more visitors and show off what makes the West Midlands so special” Becky Frall, Visit Birmingham & West Midlands. Yesterday it was announced that the Caledonian Sleeper will connect to Birmingham, the iconic service’s most significant timetable update in 30 years. This means that it’ll be easier for our Scottish friends to explore the West Midlands region, encouraging news for our tourism and hospitality venues. More here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eTsrETMj

There's still time to submit your entry for the Tourism Event/Festival of the Year category at the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2026. This exciting category shines a light on those delivering unforgettable and immersive tourism experiences throughout the region. Best of all, entering the Awards is completely free! They serve to celebrate the success of tourism businesses throughout the West Midlands, highlighting the region’s vibrant tourism industry, including its venues, people, experiences, and accommodation. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/esY9wbFc #WMTA26 #Tourism #WestMidlands