Poole's Tourism Industry celebrated the 10^th birthday of the Poole Tourism Management Board at its annual conference last week.

A unique partnership of Tourism businesses and the Borough of Poole, the Management Board is the "voice of tourism" in the town. With an independent Chairman and two vice-chairs, one a Councillor from the Borough of Poole and one tourism industry representative, the role of the Panel is to support the values of the tourism strategy and to support the Poole Tourism Partnership. The Panel also acts as the prime consultation/discussion forum for the Council on tourism issues.

Representatives from hotels, guest houses, attractions, watersports, transport, self-catering, caravan & camping, restaurants, Poole Town Centre, language schools, sponsors and Councillors work together to shape the development of Tourism in Poole.

Bruce Grant-Braham, Chairman of the Poole Tourism Partnership, said: "Tourism is a serious business in Poole, employing 5000 and bringing £200million each year into the local economy. By having courage and vision, Poole Council was one of the first in the UK to give local Tourism businesses the major say in deciding on Tourism priorities for the town and how Tourism budgets should be spent. The benefits of this have been immense for Poole ensuring we punch well above our weight and provide fabulous facilities, superb special events and a true partnership that has been copied across the UK. This is one of the best examples of the public and private sector working together and I want to thank all the partners and the Council for their continued support".