Expect to see more US tourists in Cambridge next year

The region is preparing for a second 'Friendly Invasion' in 2018.

The city’s tourism body, Visit Cambridge and Beyond, has secured £1.5million to attract people from across the pond.

The money comes from two funding grants: £1m secured from the Discover England Fund and a £500,000 grant from Visit England.

Visit Cambridge and Beyond chief executive Emma Thornton said: “The Cambridge area is rich in American history and this is a great opportunity to further extend our reach, with the American market in mind.

“Cambridgeshire played host to a huge number of American airmen in WWII, many stationed at airfields around Cambridge. In every village, town and city in Cambridgeshire there’s a story to share about this important time.”

There were 2.9million overseas visits to the UK from January to July this year from North America alone, an increase of 21 per cent on the same period last year.

England’s Historic Cities consortium, which includes Cambridge, secured the £1m investment from the Discover England Fund for ‘The Collection’. It brings history to life through story-telling enhanced by augmented reality and will feature itineraries that link the consortium cities by rail.

It’ll be delivered through the historic cities app.

:: A new ‘Friendly Invasion’ will bring thousands of Americans to Cambridgeshire and the East

In addition, Cambridge and twelve destination partners bid for the £500,000 grant from VisitEngland in a collaborative project to develop a range of experiences directed at the US tourism market.

‘Connections’ will produce a series of new, immersive, bookable English-themed visitor experiences specifically for the American market, encouraging visitors to explore England beyond London.