2010 has certainly been a busy year with many changes proposed for the future of tourism in the county.  The year started with the review of Visit Herefordshire by  Stevens View wherein many recommendations were made to change the format of the company and how it worked. Many of the recommendations were taken forward not least the appointment of a new Chair for Visit Herefordshire, Sir Ben Gill.

 Peter Hands resigned as Chairman in May and the Board continued with an interim Chair, William Lyons, until the EGM in November.  During the year the Board  achieved all of its targets set out in the Business Plan including increasing the value of tourism from £410 million in 2008 to £415 million in 2009.  Projects include; the University of the Great Outdoors event in May; the Walking Festival in June; Food Festival in October; the Land of Wye marketing campaign; the Visitor and Discover guides; increasing the number of visitors; offering training opportunities; fund raising and redesigning the web site to name but a few.

The end of the year has seen the proposals to change the way in which we deliver the Tourist Information Centre services in the county.  This is a sad time for everyone as we will be losing many excellent members of staff who have provided a service to the visitors and residents of the county for many years. The changes will be introduced in January 2011 with Ross TIC amalgamating with the Heritage Centre to become a Visitor Centre; Leominster TIC will be operated by Leominster Town Council from its current location; Ledbury Town Council are currently developing a business plan to operate the centre from the Masters House and tenders will be invited in the New Year in relation to the current building at Queenswood to include a basic service.

The Hereford TIC will become a Discover Herefordshire Centre and the headquarters of the new Visit Herefordshire.  This centre will provide a focus point for members and tourism businesses in the county.

Moving on, 2011 looks to be another very busy year with many changes on the horizon, the article by Sir Ben Gill highlights some of these changes.

I would like to thank you all for your support during the year and wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Jane Lewis                                                 supported by
Tourism, Food & Marketing Manager