News: New tourism chief for South Yorkshire

Welcome to Yorkshire has appointed David Friesner as the new Chief Executive for South Yorkshire.

Previously director of tourism at Leicestershire's tourism body, Leicester Shire Promotions, David brings with him over 30 years experience within the hospitality and tourism sectors.

He has worked across the UK from London to Scotland, Cheshire and the Lake District, to Hertfordshire. This has included spells at Gleneagles, the Chester Grosvenor as well as General Manager of several Thistle Hotels.

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "We are delighted to welcome David to Yorkshire. Having spent almost 20 years in general management of quality 4 star branded hotels he knows what works from the ground up.

"In addition he has worked extensively in destination marketing and strategic tourism development. This places him in a prime position for driving South Yorkshire forward as a major destination for both business and leisure visitors."

David Friesner said: "This is an incredibly exciting time to join Welcome to Yorkshire; South Yorkshire is very fortunate in that it appeals to both leisure and business visitors alike.

"Over the coming weeks I will be meeting tourism operators from across the industry to look at ways of building on previous successes.

"My role is to ensure the future growth of South Yorkshire's tourism offer and in turn its visitor economy. I feel extremely lucky; it's a wonderful destination."

The Yorkshire South Tourism Partnership is supported by Welcome to Yorkshire, the official tourism body for Yorkshire which is funded by Yorkshire Forward.

Yorkshire South Tourism website

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News: South Yorkshire Ambassador programme launched

Yorkshire South Tourism launched its innovative Conference Ambassador Programme at Swindon House Conference Centre in Rotherham.


The Ambassador Programme engages with local business people in order to create a network of motivated, informed and well-connected ambassadors who can promote Rotherham's events and conference facilities to the organisations and societies of which they are members.

Chris Welsh, Chair of Yorkshire South said: "Business people in the Yorkshire South region are talented, dedicated and proud of where they come from. This is why they are the perfect people to take the message of the region's outstanding conference offer to the rest of the country and beyond."

Steve Lewis, Chief Executive of Oak Holdings said: "Rotherham is already a centre of excellence for many business sectors. Conferences are a great way to showcase the town's achievements and lever more success, profile and investment.

"Oak Holdings are investing into Rotherham with the development of the YES Project which will be a huge draw for business delegates."

Yorkshire South website
YES Project website
Rotherham

Images: yorkshiresouth.com

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News: National awards success for Yorkshire South

Tourism agency, Yorkshire South has scooped two major awards in a week. On Monday they took bronze in "Best UK Convention Bureau" category at the Meetings and Incentive Travel Industry Awards, the oldest and most established awards event in the meetings and incentive industry. Then on Wednesday they were named "Best UK Destination" for the second consecutive year at International Confex, the UK's leading event for event organisers. Yorkshire South, the only destination to win the award for two consecutive years, were commended for their innovation by media judge Paul Colston, editor of Conference News. Paul said: "I have awarded Yorkshire South "Best UK Destination" for bringing a new dimension to destination show rounds with their 4D effect and holistic all round view of the region." Richard Jones, CEO of Yorkshire South, commented: "We are delighted to have won both awards this week. To take bronze in the "Best UK Convention Bureau" category is fantastic, especially since it means that a great number of our clients voted for us. Then to find out, two days later, that we had also won "Best UK destination" for the second year running, was amazing. We work very closely with our partners and venues to raise the profile of Yorkshire South as a business tourism destination, so, to be recognised by the event buyers for our hard work and the industry makes it all worthwhile. To be recognised by both awards is a great honour and something that we as a destination are very proud of."

Yorkshire South website
Rotherham

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News: Yorkshire sees biggest ever investment in visitor economy

A major investment could transform Yorkshire and Humber’s tourism economy into one of the most powerful sectors in the region. Yorkshire Forward’s £30 million investment will be used as a catalyst to attract new public and private sector funds and better co-ordinate existing investment in tourism, which is expected to result in a £300 million increase in regional visitor spend per annum. Yorkshire Tourist Board will deliver this investment, working closely with area tourism partnerships across the region, local authorities and private businesses, all of whom are vital players in the region’s growing tourism economy. The sector already employs 243,500 people in Yorkshire and Humber and contributes £6.1 billion to the economy. Gary Verity, Chief Executive, Yorkshire Tourist Board said: "On the back of Yorkshire Forward’s investment, Yorkshire Tourist Board and our regional tourism partners are committed to taking tourism to the next level which is an extremely exciting proposition. We will capitalise upon our strengths and build upon our rich heritage but reinvigorate our image to promote our diverse and contemporary tourism offering. Our energy and drive in marketing and promoting the region will push the boundaries of tradition to the limit and catapult Yorkshire and Humber centre stage to a global market."
Yorkshire Tourist Board website
Rotherham

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News: Partnership helps tourism boom in South Yorkshire

Toursim is now worth up to £1bn to South Yorkshire's economy, according to new figures released by regional tourism agency, Yorkshire South. The partnership sees Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley working together to attract events, conferences and business tourism to the region as well as promoting the region's leisure attractions, including the Magna centre in Rotherham. Private tourism-related businesses have also been encouraged to use the services of Yorkshire South Tourism to promote themselves and their attractions and so far 146 private enterprises have signed up. Richard Jones, chief executive of Yorkshire South Tourism, told the Yorkshire Post: "Our second birthday is a significant milestone for Yorkshire South Tourism and it gives us an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved so far. "According to the respected British Conference Venues Survey business tourism in South Yorkshire increased by a massive £50m last year. This is a great achievement and something that we are proud to have contributed towards." According to recent economic studies, tourism was worth £312m to the economy in Rotherham in 2007.

Yorkshire South website

Yorkshire Post article

The Star article
Rotherham

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News: Focus on Magna and South Yorkshire tourism

The latest edition of South Yorkshire Business magazine includes a cover story on the region's biggest tourist attraction, the Magna science adventure centre in Rotherham. The article includes an interview with managing director, Matthew Beck and discusses the centre's inception and the growth of the business. Following a £2.7m investment in new flexible facilities, Magna's turnover from corporate business and events has risen from £500,000 five years ago, to an expected £1.74m this year. Businesses such as ASDA, Argos, Siemens, Ventury, Wimpey and Microsoft have all been attracted by what the venue has to offer. The magazine also covers the tourism agency, Yorkshire South, and their success in developing business tourism in South Yorkshire, an industry that increased by £40m in the region last year.
South Yorkshire Business Magazine online
Rotherham

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News: Region's business tourism offer highlighted on international stage

Yorkshire South Tourism has won the top award for its stand at the International Confex exhibition at Earls Court, London. The stand incorporated a futuristic theme, showcasing Yorkshire South as an innovative and developing destination for business tourism. The partnership, which promotes the region as a conference and visitor location and represents over 200 venues across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster, was also highly commended in the overall award for Business Excellence. The second appearance at the show was also a good opportunity to launch the region's new conference guide.
Yorkshire South website
The Star article
Rotherham

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