Looking ahead, from
the new Chairman
and Chief Executive...
I first want to thank and congratulate both Nigel Walmsley and Bob Collier
for what they have achieved over their six years together as Chairman and
Managing Director, and for the welcome and support they gave me in handing
over the reins. This report reflects the considerable legacy they have left.
My first, and crucial task, was to lead the search for a chief Executive
Given the huge economic pressures
and I am delighted that we were able to persuade Mike Bedingfield to
and tough public spending decisions
join us from VisitBritain. Mike has huge knowledge and experience of
ahead, I expect our role to be
tourism, management and marketing and will be a great asset to us all.
challenged and scrutinised more than
ever in the year ahead. But from my many visits already, I have seen
I am new to tourism and I have been struck by just how big and
the vital role we play, often behind the scenes, to act as coordinator,
important an industry it is. It makes a major impact on our economy,
motivator, champion and source of tremendous experience and
on our culture and on our quality of life, something not always fully
expertise. I am convinced we can continue to demonstrate - to our
appreciated by our legislators and policy makers. This scale of impact
members, our funders, our partners and our stakeholders - that we
is particularly true in the South East. We have the largest concentration
add real value in what we do, and underpin an industry that can and
of tourism businesses in the UK, the vast majority of which are small
will be an engine of our economic recovery.
independent operators, yet still generate over £10.5 billion of visitor
expenditure and create employment for over 300,000 people.
John Williams
chairman
I was delighted, in June 2009, to take over at the helm of Tourism South East
as Chief Executive from Bob Collier, who left a legacy of a strong, talented and
effective organisation. I am a great advocate for the region having grown up in
Hampshire and Sussex and bring a detailed knowledge and genuine passion for
the region.
I arrive in a period of change in our economy, with tourism as an
Tourism is a people business and
industry needing help and support. Joining from VisitBritain, I am
with the challenge of the 2012
acutely aware of the issues facing the tourism industry, as well as the
Games now in our sights, we are
importance of tourism as an industry and the positive impact it has on
committed to raising the bar in terms of the quality of the visitor
the economy.
experience. Training continues to be a vital part of our offering and
an integral part of how Tourism South East demonstrates genuine
Even during these tough times, I am seeing opportunities for the
and measurable value in all we do to grow one of the region’s most
tourism sector in the South East, especially with 2009 being regarded
important industries.
as “the year to holiday at home”. I recognise that to make the most
of our region’s tourism offer, we need to work more closely with our
Personally, I shall endeavour to meet as many of our members and
members, stakeholders and funders.
stakeholders in my first year as possible, to understand your needs
and demonstrate how Tourism South East can support you. I look
doing this, we will maximise short term wins and build foundations
forward to meeting you.
for long term sustainability in the tourism industry. This is essential to
realise the full economic benefit associated with the 2012 Olympic and
Mike Bedingfield
Paralympic Games and the legacy these will leave for our industry.
chief Executive
www.visitsoutheastengland.com
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