By Caribbean News Global 
LONDON England – Destination Management Organisations (DMO) at risk of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic will receive financial support complements a new £1.3 million scheme launched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
DMOs play a vital role in the development and promotion of English tourism. There are an estimated 150 in England, each running marketing campaigns, providing advice to local tourism businesses and conducting research on behalf of their members. Many also manage central government grant schemes like the Discover England Fund.
The funding, which is available to any at-risk DMO in England which usually receives at least 50 percent of its income from commercial sources, will be used to cover operating costs and the cost of employees that cannot be furloughed under the coronavirus Job Retention Scheme because they provide crucial business support services.
DMOs will be able to receive up to £2,500 per month for two members of non-furloughed staff who provide crucial business support services and up to £5,000 to cover operating costs. The funding will last until June 30, 2020, and is repurposed from the Discover England Fund.
Tourism minister Nigel Huddleston said: “At the moment it is of utmost importance that everyone plays their part and stays at home to protect the NHS and save lives. However, we also need to act now to help the tourism sector be as strong as possible when we get through this pandemic. Destination Management Organisations will play a vital role in this recovery and this fund will support their essential work.”
DMOs provide expert advice and guidance to local businesses and are a crucial part of developing and promoting English tourism. As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, several DMOs are currently facing cash flow issues and loss of commercial income. This funding will ensure that DMOs can continue to provide critical business support and start to prepare for recovery.
VisitEngland acting chief executive officer Patricia Yates said: “Tourism has been one of the earliest and hardest hit of all economic sectors and this fund will help to ensure DMOs can continue to provide crucial support and expert guidance to the hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses that make-up England’s tourism sector. Our intention is to get the funds out quickly to DMOs with a light touch application process as we work with them in recovery planning, to ensure that tourism rebounds and once again becomes one of the most successful and vibrant sectors of the economy.”
