A Shadow Board has been set up to oversee a smooth transition to new arrangements for the delivery of tourism in the county. The Shadow Board of Northumberland Visitor Economy Partnership (NVEP) was established following a review which considered how the management and marketing of Northumberland’s multi million pound tourism industry can best be delivered in the future. The review was carried out to prepare for imminent major funding changes to tourism with the closure of One North East in March 2012.
The Board of Northumberland Tourism, the organisation currently delivering a range of tourism marketing and management, is backing the new arrangements and will support the work of the NVEP Shadow Board over the next 4-6 months.
David Hall, Chair of the NVEP Shadow Board, said “We are developing new ways of working to attract greater investment from the private sector and create a strong private and public sector partnership. Our emphasis will be on developing a business plan to generate the greatest economic impact for Northumberland’s visitor economy. We have been greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment the industry has shown through the review stage and the support offered to the Shadow Board.”
Peter Kemp, Chair of Northumberland Tourism, said “We fully endorse the plans for new arrangements and are giving our complete support to the NVEP Shadow Board. The way tourism has been funded in recent years ends in March 2012 and the industry must work together to build a more sustainable solution to driving growth in our visitor economy.”
The NVEP Shadow Board members are:
David Hall (Chair) - Northumbrian Water
Lesley Williamson - Alnwick Castle and the Alnwick Garden
Carol Pyrah - English Heritage
Stacey Burlet - Northumberland County Council
Tony Gates - Northumberland National Park Authority
Graeme Mason - Newcastle International Airport
The work of the Shadow Board is time limited over the next 4-6 months before handing over to a new Board. Shadow Board members are leading work on the Business Plan, Financial Modelling, Industry Investment, Communications and Industry Engagement as well as developing and overseeing the process for recruitment of a new Board. They will also look at how best to deliver marketing activity to promote Northumberland to visitors.
Consultation has taken place with tourism associations and organisations in the tourism industry as part of the review. Tourism businesses have since volunteered support to the NVEP Shadow Board over the coming months.