Peak District tourism board looks forward to new year

Changes at the top of Visit the Peak District and Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, have been made with the future of the national park in mind.

Jo Dilley, who has been involved in the strategic development of the tourist board since it began, has been appointed destination management organisation (DMO) director. The appointment comes following a review of the tourist board, instigated by its key public funders to assess its performance and achievements since it was set up nine years ago.

The review panel – consisting of representatives from both the public and private sectors – was also charged with recommending ways in which the tourist board’s structure and operations could be modified to ensure its continued success.

A new, revised structure has now been approved by both the review panel and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s Board.

“I am delighted to welcome Jo Dilley as DMO Director,” said Paul Roden, chairman of Visit Peak District and Derbyshire. “After nine years as a pivotal member of the tourist board’s senior management team, she is the ideal choice to steer the organisation through its current period of transition.

“I would like to assure visitors, stakeholders, patrons and members that they can continue to count on the high standard and wide range of services they have come to expect from the tourist board as we embark on an exciting array of marketing activity in 2015 and beyond.

“Much has already been achieved, and with our revised and responsive new structure, we can look forward to an even more promising future – building on the strong relationships we have forged with all our public and private sector partners.”

David James, former chief executive at the tourist board, who will join Bath Tourism Plus as chief executive in the new year, added: “It has been a great honour to lead the team at Visit Peak District and Derbyshire for the past nine years.

“It has been particularly rewarding to see the difference our destination has achieved over that time. Our national Tourist Board, Visit England, now recognises it as one of the leading destinations in the country - a massive result achieved by working together with all our public and private sector partners for the greater good.

“I can only wish the team, the stakeholders and the industry the very best of luck for the future. The Peak District and Derbyshire is a magnificent part of the country.”