Last week, we had the absolute pleasure of representing the Chester Hospitality Association at the Media Getaway 2025, and it’s safe to say our city put on a show.
Over two packed days, Chester played host to more than 80 travel journalists and media representatives from across the UK and around the globe, all here to experience first-hand what makes our beautiful city and county so special.
The event kicked off in style with a drink’s reception at the stunning Chester Town Hall, where the atmosphere was buzzing from the start.
It was fantastic to see so many local suppliers, hoteliers and hospitality friends coming together to give our guests such a warm welcome, including our friends from Wrexham too!
From there, we strolled through Chester’s gorgeous historic streets, a real reminder of how breathtaking our city looks in the summer light, before ending up at Rooftop Social, one of the city’s newest venues, for a second reception. A casual and fun filled night, networking and celebrating Chesters hospitality.
And who should make an appearance? None other than Paddington Bear himself, adding a touch of charm and no doubt plenty of photo opportunities!
Across the two days, tailored FAM trips took our guests all over Chester and Cheshire and even across to Wrexham, letting them experience everything from boutique hotels to award-winning restaurants and independent shops, and even the Turf Pub.
It was brilliant to see local businesses step up to showcase our region’s unique hospitality, and you could sense real excitement as stories and ideas were shared that will hopefully turn into wonderful press coverage in the weeks and months ahead.
It’s events like these that really highlight the power of collaboration. By working together, venues, attractions, suppliers and local ambassadors alike, we create experiences that truly shine. With Marketing Cheshire already planning to welcome Dutch, Chinese and Australian travel trade delegations over the coming months, it’s clear that Chester and Cheshire are firmly on the international map.
We came away from Media Getaway 2025 feeling proud, energised and excited for what’s next.
Events like this aren’t just nice to have, they’re crucial for cities like Chester and even our neighbours in Wrexham.
Too often people overlook just how brilliant we are as a city break destination. We have the oldest working racecourse in the world, the 13th best pizzeria in Europe, the best zoo in the UK, a thriving scene of independent restaurants and hotels that are as warm and unique as the people who run them.
Looking ahead, we need more opportunities like this to open our doors, share our stories, and show off the very best of what we have to offer. Because when we work together, supporting each other, championing our local businesses, and proudly telling the world why our city is special, we all stand to benefit.
A little lesson from it all? Never underestimate the power of inviting people in. Sometimes the best way to grow is simply to throw open the doors and let them see for themselves.
If you enjoyed this blog and you’re as passionate about the future of our industry as we are, come along for the ride. Follow us on our socials to keep up with what we’re doing, and grab tickets to our next Art of Hospitality event, we’d love to have you be part of the journey.
