BUSINESS leaders from Weymouth and Portland hosted a visit from their European counterparts in a bid to promote the borough.

Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce (WPCC), together with the Weymouth Business Improvement District, (Weymouth BID) hosted a visit from the chamber of commerce in Blokhus, Denmark.

Members of the Blokhus Chamber arrived on April 10 and were greeted by Nigel Reed, manager of the BID, took them on a tour of the Weymouth, Portland and the Jurassic Coast with local tourism experts Jacqui Gisborne and Steve Davies.

In the evening the visitors were treated to dinner hosted by Michelle Hind, president of WPCC at her restaurant No. 4 which is located on Weymouth Harbour.

Ms Hind said “This has been a wonderful opportunity to meet with chamber of commerce members from Blokhus and such a learning curve.

“I am proud of what they had to say about Weymouth and Portland but they did mention the empty shops, so come on landlords we need to fill them. Come on Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, stop reducing rates for empty shops and instead give an incentive to fill them.”

The Channel Guest House provided accommodation for the group and many other businesses including Sandworld, Sealife Tower and Park, Portland Bill Lighthouse, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Wareham, Arne Nature reserve, Corfe Castle, Greyhound Inn, Swanage Railway, Swanage Pier and Swanage Chamber of Trade welcomed the guests during their visit.

On day two, the visitors explored the Purbeck area including the Swanage Railway and met with the local tourism departments in Swanage.

Jannie Ratke Kristiansen organised the event on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce in Blokhus and thanked the local business community for hosting them.

She said: “Every year the chamber of Commerce visit a new destination in order to gain inspiration, which can help to further destination development for our own town.

“This year Weymouth was chosen as a destination because of the great number of similarities. Blokhus is like Weymouth, a very popular seaside resort with a long white beach, beach huts, sand sculpture festival, Kite festival etc.

“Another reason why Weymouth was chosen can be found in the fact that Weymouth is up front according to events and the many networking activities held by the chamber of commerce.

“We have enjoyed our visit and have learnt a lot from the Weymouth and Portland business community.”

Nigel Reed, manager of the Weymouth BID, said: “The tour proved useful to both Blokhus and Weymouth and Portland, as each had ideas based on their own activities to encourage visitors.

“They were particularly interested in events and the wide range on offer in this area.”

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