Plans including a ‘Mayflower Muster’, capital investment and support from Government have been confirmed today (14 April 2017).
The Mayflower Muster, expected to be held across a number of days, will be an event on a global scale, combining activities on land and water alongside a programme with ambitions to bring together UK, US and Dutch naval forces to celebrate the special relationship between the Mayflower linked nations.
Charles Hackett, chief executive of Mayflower 400 said: “We are pleased to report that Destination Plymouth and Plymouth City Council are seeing progress across planning in a wide range of areas: cultural projects, heritage, education, tourism and economy, volunteering and trade, all of which have funding committed by Plymouth City Council and central Government.”
The Mayflower programme of activity has already attracted £500,000 of funding from central Government for cultural projects within Plymouth and a further £500,000 for marketing across the international Mayflower partnership.
Talking of further commitment by the council for the Mayflower commemorations Ian Bowyer, Leader of the Council said: “Plymouth City Council has committed £2.25million over five years to deliver a dedicated Mayflower 400 programme team and a series of major events that will inspire the city’s residents to get involved, create a renewed sense of pride in the city and its role in the Mayflower story.
“The programme will bring in more visitors to the city – which is good news for the businesses here, particularly the hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants.
“We believe this programme is so important to the city’s reputation and future that we have earmarked £5 million investment into developing a series of heritage trail projects to make sure the city is able to make the most of the opportunity that Mayflower 400 represents.”
Capital projects include the implementation of heritage trails, upgrades to key assets such as the Elizabethan House, and to provide match funding for an Arts Council bid to deliver a Mayflower public art installation.
The report, submitted to council also highlights the work being done to attract American tourists through engagement with tour operators and Mayflower 400 involvement at international marketing events with the tourism market is already returning interest in Mayflower 400, with operators booking accommodation across the partnership.
(from a press release)
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