British Tourism Week 15-21 March 2010
Sixth form students from Kirkby Stephen Grammar School and Alston’s Samuel Kings School are being given the unique opportunity next week to ask questions about tourism to a distinguished panel of experts at a Tourism Question Time. The special event, is being held in the majestic surroundings of Augill Castle near Kirkby Stephen, and is being organised by Eden District Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Section to mark British Tourism Week 2010.
The fourth annual British Tourism Week takes place between 15-21 March this year and, with the support of HRH The Prince of Wales, aims to encourage organisations and individuals to take pride in being part of the tourism industry – the nation’s fifth biggest. The Eden Schools Tourism Question Time is one of many taking place across the UK with the aim of raising the profile of Britain’s £114 billion visitor economy and drawing national awareness to its size, value and critical importance.
Young people are very important to the future of the tourism industry and the special tourism question time, chaired by Kevin Douglas (Chief Executive of Eden District Council), will allow the young audience to find out just how challenging and rewarding a career in tourism can be. The Question Time panel was deliberately chosen to reflect a cross section of organizations that are at the forefront of tourism in the region.
The panel comprises:
-
Ian Stephens Chief Executive of Cumbria Tourism
-
Richard Leafe Chief Executive of Lake District National Park Authority
-
John Moffat South Lakes Property Manager for The National Trust
-
Chris Ruston General Manager of Center Parcs Whinfell Forest
Eden District Council’s Chief Executive, Kevin Douglas said: “British Tourism Week is a unique event when we can highlight the importance of tourism to the District’s economy. The Tourism Question Time aims to help inspire a young audience to consider working in the region’s tourism industry, which in Eden attracts nearly two million visitors a year and is worth nearly £150 million to the local economy. The tourism panel can provide information on this industry sector and the opportunity it presents for young people in our area.”
Augill Castle, venue for the special event, is an excellent example of a local business that strives for excellence in the tourism industry. In the past few years it has won several prestigious awards including Enjoy England Guest Accommodation of the Year 2009/10 and was a BTA Best UK Individual Boutique Hotel Finalist 2009.
Built in 1837 for 'a gentleman of considerable means and leisure' to entertain his weekend guests, Simon and Wendy Bennett now run Augill Castle in a modern and informal style with relaxed service, five star national award winning guest accommodation, exceptional food and a genuine desire to create a comfortable place to unwind.
“We are delighted once again to raise the profile of tourism’s importance to Eden during British Tourism Week,” said Charles Thornton, Tourism Question Time Organiser and Tourism Information Centre Network Manager for Eden District Council. “The vibrant tourism industry in Eden and across Cumbria provides a wide range of interesting opportunities for young people to pursue a career in tourism. We hope this special Tourism Question Time has given students an insight into tourism and the range of careers that the industry offers.”
Simon Bennet, owner of Augill Castle has been very enthusiastic to help Eden District Council’s Economic Development and Tourism section make the special event a success, he said: “Charles Thornton approached me at the end of 2009 with the idea of hosting a Tourism Question Time for schools. I was only too glad to offer Augill as a venue as I passionately believe that young people are the future of the region’s tourism industry.
“The Tourism Question Time is an unusual way of engaging with students who are currently making choices about what they want to do when they leave school. I really hope the event will encourage some of them to embark on careers in what is an exciting and dynamic industry.”
The Eden Valley, North Pennines and Ullswater showcase some of Cumbria’s most beautiful scenery that consistently attracts visitors to the region year after year. With excellent transport links visitors can easily get to and around the region not only by car but also by train and bus. Owing to the large volume of visitors, the area supports nearly 3,000 full time equivalent jobs in tourism with many of these being in the accommodation and food and drink sectors.
The region has an extensive range of tourism based employers from large organizations such as Center Parcs and Westmorland Group to smaller attractions, farm tourism enterprises and accommodation providers.
For more information on how employers can help encourage young people to pursue a career in tourism please contact the Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Section tel: 01768 817817. For more information about British Tourism Week visit www.britishtourismweek.com
For further media information please contact the Communication Officer:
