Two people at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, admiring

Wakefield Destination Management Plan

Tourism has many benefits for Wakefield – it strengthens our local economy, sustains successful businesses and creates jobs. It plays an important role in helping our city and towns thrive and contributes to the quality of life of our local communities.

After an intensive engagement process with representatives from across the district’s tourism and hospitality sector, Wakefield Council and tourism partners have launched a new Destination Management Plan. The shared plan will pave the way for Wakefield to overcome some of the challenges it faces and make the most of all its tourism assets – present and future – by setting out what it needs to do to become a must-visit cultural destination by 2029.

Key aims of the plan include:

1. Working in partnership with the tourism and hospitality sector to achieve increased spend from visitors by extending stays and creating new and sustainable experiences.

2. Raising awareness of the Wakefield district as the sculpture capital of the UK and cultural gateway to the north.

3. Ensuring the district’s infrastructure is ready for growth, that visitors feel welcome and can easily find the information they need to have a positive experience during their visit, creating a desire to return.

To download a copy of the Wakefield District Destination Management Plan, click on one of the links below:

 

Full version (PDF).

Accessible version (Word document).

For tourism trade information in the Wakefield district visit our Trade Pages.

Wakefield District Destination Storytelling Guide

The Wakefield district is a vibrant visitor destination, combining dynamic city life, historic market towns, world-class art and scenic countryside with iconic attractions like The Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the National Coal Mining Museum for England and so much more. We know this, but there are a lot of people out there who don’t!

By working together, sharing our story and speaking with one consistent voice, we know it’s possible to reach both new and repeat visitors, and stand out from the noise of other destinations.  We invite you to join us, to become an advocate for the Wakefield district and to help us to drive forward our ambition to become a must-visit cultural destination and establish ourselves as the Sculpture Capital of the UK. The Destination Storytelling Guide serves as a practical toolbox, offering tips and ideas to help craft and share our destination story.

🔗 Read the Wakefield District Destination Storytelling Guide and find out more.