The British Tourist Authority has appointed Des Wilson, director of
corporate and public affairs at BAA, to its board.
The seven-strong board acts as a strategic and advisory resource for the
BTA, which promotes Britain as a tourist destination in overseas
markets.
Wilson was appointed by Chris Smith, the Secretary of State for Culture
Media and Sport. Smith said: ’Des Wilson has a vast amount of marketing
and communications experience which I am sure will be of great benefit
to the BTA.’
Other members of the board include BA chief executive Robert Ayling,
chair of the Scottish Tourist Board Ian Grant, and Jarvis Hotels chief
executive John Jarvis.
Britain’s tourist industry is worth close to pounds 40 billion each
year. The BTA has 43 offices in 36 countries, with a staff of 217
overseas and 191 in the UK. It is sponsored by the Department of
Culture, Media and Sport, with individual campaigns supported by money
from the travel industry.
