South West Tourism, the regional Tourist Board and the South West RDA plan to work closer on the delivery of the regional tourism strategy, and in developing regional tourism in the future.
South West Tourism will co-locate with the South West RDA, by the end of the year. This move, which has been under consideration for some time, brings greater impact to South West Tourism through physical links to the national tourism lead role of the South West RDA and practical operational support as well as delivering significant cost savings. The highly regarded Tourism Skills Network will also be integrated into South West Tourism to complement the company's valuable and popular "Welcome Host" training programme, and expand the reach and expertise at a regional level.
Maureen McAllister (pictured), Head of Culture and Tourism with the South West RDA, will be seconded to South West Tourism as Director of Tourism with effect from 1st December. Maureen has over 20 years' experience of strategic tourism marketing and development, working in the public and private sector. She joined the South West RDA in 2006, and since then has held the RDA lead role for the DCMS agenda. Maureen is passionate about the delivery of quality support to the industry in the South West.
Maureen McAllister says: "South West Tourism is widely regarded as the premier example of best practice of all the regions in the UK. It is exciting to have the opportunity to work with the board of South West Tourism to grow the strength of this operation, and increase its effectiveness and efficiency, at a time when many others are feeling financial stretch and cutting back. By working closely with the South West RDA, South West Tourism can make significant cost and efficiency savings without compromising its strategic impact and importance to the tourism industry in the South West."
Timing of the move has been prompted by the resignation of Malcolm Bell, the Executive Director of South West Tourism, who is moving to head up Tourism within the newly formed Cornwall Development Company. Says Alistair Handyside, Chair of South West Tourism: "We wish Malcolm every success with his new career; Malcolm has been with South West Tourism for over 10 years and was never going to be an easy act to follow. The Board has adopted the approach that the broad remit of his role at South West Tourism is best replaced at this time by more than one individual. Maureen is a strong and experienced advocate for tourism and will be an excellent lead; she will be directly supported by our senior key staff and by individual members of the Board in delivery of our goals for strategic regional tourism and in championing the diverse sectors of this important industry."
South West Tourism is the official regional tourist board, working with partners to stimulate and manage the development of tourism in the South West region, in line with the regional tourism strategy.
South West Tourism is an independent body for tourism in the region with a board of directors drawn from predominately the private sector and partners, and is funded by the South West RDA and European commission funds.
The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It works in partnership with public and private sector organisations and takes a long-term view. It aims to drive up the region's productivity by giving people the skills they need, encouraging enterprise, improving infrastructure, regenerating places and promoting the strengths of the region. www.southwestrda.org.uk
Date added: Thursday 26th November 2009
Latest updated: Thursday 8th March 2012
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Comments
Maureen McAllister , South West Tourism
Thank you for your comments in response to the announcement of my appointment. I’d like to address your very valid concerns. In my new role, I will be leading the South West Tourism team focusing on priorities for the tourism industry in the South West. The Chair and board of South West Tourism, will provide hands on support to me in this role, particularly around lobbying, and representation at key events – where, arguably, the private sector board members are best qualified to speak with first hand experience around the issues.South West Tourism remains the regional centre for tourism expertise. With a team of 14 expert staff, it focuses on research into current and future visitor trends, on showcasing our wonderful region to the UK and overseas, on planning ahead for a sustainable future for the industry. The team here are well aware that potential visitors have many options for their holidays, and we need to do our bit to ensure that the South West remains a great value destination, year round, and into the future. We liaise with many private and publically funded organisations to make sure that the interests of the tourism industry are protected and that policies do not conflict – like the Highways’ Agency, rail operators, the Environment Agency, education and training establishments. We communicate with over 11,000 tourism businesses across the region, on subjects ranging from employment law to the latest visitor trends. Our research will continue to identify what visitors find important, we will pass that knowledge onto the industry, so that you can plan ahead to invest where you’ll see the best return on investment. We will also share that knowledge with destination management organisations and local authorities to ensure the South West is able to exceed visitors’ expectations – whether this be clean beaches, adequate parking or excellent public transport. We must also face the fact that public sector budgets are shrinking – it is important that we work in partnership, across the public and private sector, to ensure that tourism investment in this region is focused, that there is little, if no, duplication. We will also continue to listen to your issues and ask for your views and comments to help guide us in our lobbying and operations! For example, industry asked us to simplify activity. Two years ago a business would have had to join a local and a regional membership scheme – two membership fees for businesses and two sets of administration costs, with many duplicated benefits. Today, a business simply joins their local destination management organisation, and automatically receives valuable business communications from South West Tourism.
Comment made: Thursday 10th December 2009
Anonymous
Well Maureen...you could do worse than start to cut through the management speak of the board. Seems to me that the key role of heading up tourism in the south west has been axed by stealth. 'Substantial cost savings; roles replaced by more than one individual; effectiveness and efficiencies; seconded directors', are all code for an organisation which shrinking when there is so much to be done. Once again the only major viable and sustainable industry in the region has been short-changed, not by the loss of one individual or the appointment of another, but by the lack of vision and foresight of a leadership who can't even tell us where they will be next week...let alone next year. Good luck.
Comment made: Thursday 10th December 2009
Anonymous
New location?? Where??
Comment made: Friday 27th November 2009
Anonymous
We welcome Maureen to her post, some new ideas within South West Tourism will be much welcomed. I have worked in the Hospitality sector of Tourism for over 40 years, in different parts of the UK (including Torbay, West Devon, and Mid Devon), and would not agree that SW Toursim is ahead of the game. In my opinion Tourism is a vital £ earner in the SW and SW Tourism has few new ideas, does not pull together the differing strands of tourism, has lost contact with those on the ground floor, and in general does not promote the South West particularly well. The lack of investment by Government in Tourism over many years is abismal and it shows in the South West. Compare our tourism actvities with that of Scotland which has a clear brand which is well developed and promoted to include the most out of the way places. Good luck Maureen, you can only improve on what has been done in recent years.
Comment made: Friday 27th November 2009
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