Praise for tourism chiefs

SHADOW Tourism Minister Tobias Ellwood has applauded the success of local partnerships in creating a sustainable and successful visitor economy in the Cheshire-Warrington sub region.
During a visit to the Virgin Trains Talent Academy in Crewe, the Bournemouth East MP praised destination management organisation Visit Chester Cheshire for its leadership in developing an approach to team working that has generated major economic and social benefits for the area and its residents.
He said: “The visitor economy in the sub region continues to be a story of enterprise and achievement, thanks to the close cooperation between the local authorities, the strategic support of the North West Regional Development Agency, and the commitment to excellence of the private sector.
“Attractions, events and service providers are fully engaged in driving up standards and their efforts will undoubtedly generate more success in the future.”
The value of the visitor economy stands at around £1.8 billion and employs more than 90,000 people in Cheshire and Warrington. The area receives an estimated 41 million tourists annually.
Mr Ellwood, Shadow Minister for Department of Culture, Media and Sport, met with more than 20 senior representatives of a wide range of organisations to discuss plans and opportunities for generating further success for the local visitor economy.
Among those attending were Warrington Wolves and theme park Gulliver’s’ World.
Mr Ellwood heard that much of the emphasis in the coming months would be on identifying and developing new opportunities around Cheshire’s gardens, local food and drink, events and festivals, business tourism and 2012 Olympics.
Opportunities for Cheshire-Warrington relating to the Olympics and specifically the training camps that will be based at Crewe were also discussed.
Pictured (left to right) Arthur Leathley, Tobias Ellwood, and Chris Brown.