Des Simmons has been appointed Chair of the Bournemouth Tourism Management Board (BTMB), which brings together all sectors of Bournemouth’s visitor economy towards a shared vision of the town as a market leading resort.
Des Simmons is Managing Director of Bournecoast Holiday Agents as well as serving as Executive Director on Bournemouth Coastal Districts BID and as a committee member for Bournemouth Accommodation & Hotel Association (BAHA). Des outlined his ongoing approach for the BTMB:
“My simple intention, whilst in the role of Chairman of the Bournemouth Tourism Management Board, is to ensure that everything already working well in the town is properly coordinated for maximum impact, based on an overriding strategy that we can all buy in to. We have an amazing set up here in the town with the proactive nature of the Council and their support for tourism, the work the BIDs do, the contribution from the Trade and the Management Board itself.
“The aim is to ensure visitors are offered the opportunity to have a “World Class Experience” and this will sit in three main areas: 1) upgrading the quality and range of the experience; 2) everyone pulling together for our common goal; and 3) maintaining and building upon our strong reputation.”
Councillor Lawrence Williams, Bournemouth Borough Council – Tourism Portfolio Holder, added: “I look forward to working with Des and the BTMB to deliver this vision of Bournemouth as a modern destination that embodies quality, in both experience and facilities offered.”
Des Simmons, Managing Director of Bournecoast Holiday Agents, takes over from Chair Andrew Francis, previously of Bournemouth Marriott Highcliff Hotel. John Green, Hot Rocks, was voted in as Vice Chair in December 2014.
Mark Smith, Director of Tourism, said: “Bournemouth is fortunate to have such dynamic business professionals willing to give so much time to steer the resort to future success. Des and John are great ambassadors for Bournemouth Tourism”.
