Daniel Gidney meets Prince Charles

5th April 2011

Daniel Gidney meets Prince Charles

THE chairman of a new Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism Taskforce had a royal appointment to discuss the importance of boosting the tourism industry.

Ricoh Arena chief executive Daniel Gidney has been appointed to lead the taskforce which is made up of the region’s major tourism organisations and companies as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Daniel along with Tom Clift, the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Manager for the 2012 Games, was among the LEP representatives from across the county who were invited to hear a talk from Prince Charles at the VisitEngland LEP Conference at Anglesey Abbey Visitor Centre in Cambridge.

HRH The Prince of Wales said tourism is one of this country’s great success stories and in the next two years there is an enormous opportunity to attract even more tourists.

He said tourism is about far more than big events because the quality of hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and other attractions is just as crucial in attracting overseas visitors.

Daniel, who is also an LEP board member, said it had been a pleasure to meet Prince Charles and hear his views.

“The Prince of Wales’ deep commitment to tourism in this country was apparent from his speech and it was great to hear his passion for the subject,” he said.

“It is vital that we make it as easy as possible for tourists to visit Coventry and Warwickshire – and to encourage return trips – not only while the Olympic Games is taking place in 2012 but in the short, medium and long term.

“Tourism is a key component of our regional economy which makes it even more important that everyone involved in the industry works together because not only does it drive guests to our region to spend money in local businesses but because of the impact it has on employment as well.

“More and more people are now spending their holidays in the UK which gives tourism organisations even more of an incentive to work together to ensure growth.

“We have many fantastic and varied attractions in our region and the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP is determined to set a new benchmark for tourism.”