Liverpool City Region has a new Visitor Economy Board to set out the future development and direction of tourism across the City Region.
The new body replaces the former Visitor Economy Committee and is the destination’s official Tourist Board.
The Board, led by Sara Wilde McKeown – currently Managing Director of Liverpool-based communications company Paver Smith, will stimulate and support growth across all areas of the City Region’s visitor economy.
The first meeting covered topics such as the Visitor Economy strategy and vision for the sector, engagement with sector businesses, funding, and the Board’s objectives and priorities moving forward.
Liverpool City Region’s tourism businesses continue to drive growth and job creation in one of the strongest performing sectors of the local economy. The latest independent data shows that, annually, the sector is worth £3.4bn to the local economy, attracts 56m visitors and supports 46,000 jobs.
Sara Wilde McKeown, said: “This board not only has a strong private sector base but displays a wide diversity and depth of experience.
“The sector delivers significant economic value to the city region with strong growth prospects. Key to achieving this will be our ability to work collectively across all parts of this varied and dynamic sector, which will allow us to improve our visitor offer and strengthen the reach and impact of our destination marketing.”
Chris Bliss, Deputy Chair of the VEB and Visitor Economy Champion on the main Local Enterprise Partnership Board, said: “As one of the single biggest attractors of footfall within the city, Liverpool ONE is keen to play its part in shaping the future of our Visitor Economy Sector. I intend to champion this growing sector on the LEP Board to make sure its full potential as a job creator and a showcase for the wider economic assets of the City Region are fully realised.”