Supported by Solihull Council, the Solihull Tourism Forum is a group of businesses and stakeholders with an interest in the local visitor economy and is made up of local hotels, restaurants, retailers, attractions, Birmingham Airport and the NEC.
The group has welcomed Robert Elliot, General Manager from Hogarths as its new Chair along with Tim Rudman from Resorts World as its Vice Chair. Under its new leadership team the Solihull Tourism Forum will be tasked with setting to work on a new action-plan to drive the local visitor economy in and around Solihull.
Solihull Tourism Forum is already focussing on a number of key projects including working with students at Solihull College and digital training start-up ‘Digital Innov8ors’ to look at ways of engaging with younger audiences and attracting them to the region.
Another key focus of the Tourism Forum is to look at ways of boosting Solihull’s reputation and profile as an international destination for both business and leisure.
Recent figures from a ‘Visit Britain’ passenger survey show that international travel and tourism is booming across the region, with a 28% increase in passenger volume recorded at Birmingham International last year compared to 2016. The Tourism Forum recently hosted a delegation from Solihull’s sister city, Changzhou, which looked at improving links between the two towns.
Councillor Joe Tildesley, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Sport, said:
“We are delighted to have Robert and Tim on board. They both have extensive hands-on experience, working locally in hospitality and tourism, and really understand the challenges and opportunities facing the sector here in Solihull.
“They are taking the helm at a really exciting time for the local visitor economy and I am confident that they have the expertise and know how to make a real success of it."
New Chair to the Forum, Robert Elliot said:
“I’m really excited to be promoting tourism to the borough in my new role as Chair of the Tourism Board. I am very proud to be chairing such a forward thinking group of business and partners, and am excited to see what Solihull as a borough can do to attract new visitors, returning visitors and the local community.”
Tim Rudman, Vice Chair of Solihull Tourism Forum, said:
“The Solihull Tourism Forum plays a vital role in providing a regular and invaluable way for all of those businesses and organisations operating in the Solihull Borough to share news, developments, best practice and indeed challenges.
"Tourism in the borough is growing. There are more places to visit and stay and the borough’s location in the heart of the country with such excellent transport connections and links makes Solihull a very desirable place for visitors.”