The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), a company which aims to attract visitors, investment and events to the region, has announced its support of the new Regional Board for Tourism.
The board will be set up in 2020 to oversee the new West Midlands Tourism Strategy and aims to increase the economy by more than £1bn and create 19,000 new jobs.
The West Midlands Regional Tourism Strategy aims to attract more conferences and events to the region. The strategy includes an awards scheme which celebrates the local visitor economy.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for a position on the new Regional Board for Tourism by 19 February. The applicants will need to demonstrate a strong voice and existing networks within the West Midlands’ tourism industry.
The board will include 13 representatives from the West Midlands’ tourism sector who will represent visitor attractions, conferencing venues, accommodation providers, travel trade operators and cultural organisations.
Fiona Allan, artistic director and chief executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, was named chair of the Regional Board for Tourism and Roger Mendonca, chief operating officer of WMGC, was named as vice chair.
Allan commented: “The new Regional Board for Tourism will champion the West Midlands’ thriving tourism sector.”
She added that the new board aims to “reflect our region’s diverse visitor economy and the different types of people attracted to our unique tourism offer.”
Andy Street, Mayor, West Midlands, said that the Regional Board for Tourism will “oversee the delivery of the new West Midlands Tourism Strategy, but it is also a brilliant example of how the West Midlands continues to lead the way with its collaboration between public and private sectors.”
