Your chance to shape the NW tourism agenda

30 March 2010

New Tourism Commission calls on industry

to shape the debate

A new, independent committee with the aim of boosting the region’s visitor economy is calling on tourism businesses and professionals to help shape the agenda for tourism in the Northwest. The new Visitor Economy Commission for England’s Northwest aims to influence and enhance the regional tourism strategy with the help of the region’s tourism industry.

Made up of some of the industry’s most respected professionals, the new Commission will convene for the first time in April. It has published a topic paper on the future of the region’s tourism structures and is inviting people to present their views; online, in person or by correspondence. 

The paper is available at www.nwtourism.net and presents the first in a series of strategic issues that the new Commission will look at over the coming year. Anyone involved in the region’s visitor economy is being urged to provide their input by Friday 16th April.

At its quarterly meetings the Commission will consider the evidence and views submitted by the tourism industry and will then publish opinion and recommendations. Its ultimate aim is to influence expenditure, practice and policy. It will look at issues that directly impact on the region’s visitor economy and will direct its findings towards significant decision-makers, both regionally and nationally.

The strength of the Commission’s voice will be a reflection of its membership and the evidence it is able to gather. It will rely on the input of the region’s tourism businesses and organisations to inform the debate and to shape recommendations.

Felicity Goodey, Chair of the new Visitor Economy Commission for England’s Northwest, said:

 “Over the past ten years the visitor economy has become a major contributor to the economic life of the region. It is now worth over £14 billion a year and many hundreds of thousands of people owe their jobs to it.  A lot has been achieved but there is more to do if we are to meet the twin challenges of intensive global competition and the economic situation at home.

“The new, independent, Visitor Economy Commission will look objectively at what the region needs to build on its success. It will seek the views of the industry on important issues and won’t be afraid to ask the hard questions; it will make recommendations without fear or favour and has a real opportunity to shape the future of the region’s visitor economy.

“I would urge anyone with a stake in our visitor economy to get involved in the debate.”

-ends-

Notes to editors

Confirmed members of the Visitor Economy Commission for England’s Northwest are:

Andrea Nixon, Executive Director of Tate Liverpool

Rowena Burns, Chief Operating Officer at Bruntwood

Nick Johnson, Chair of Marketing Manchester and Director of Development at Urban Splash

Simon Bennett of the award-winning Augill Castle in Cumbria.

The group will be chaired by Felicity Goodey, CBE, DL. 

To get involved in the debate visit www.nwtourism.net or email [email protected].

For the paper click here  

For further information please contact Helen Batte, Tourism Press Officer on 01925 400235 or 07764 239856 or [email protected]

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