The West Midlands Tourism & Hospitality Advisory Board image

The West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board (THAB) is facilitated by the West Midlands Growth Company, bringing together all areas of the tourism industry to drive growth in the region’s visitor economy.

The Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board was established in March 2023 and meets quarterly. It comprises representatives from sectors across the tourism industry and reports to the West Midlands Combined Authority and the West Midlands Mayor.

The Board’s vision is to align the activity of partners working in the tourism and hospitality industry in a way that builds a strong profile of the West Midlands as a tourist destination.

The West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board represents and speaks on behalf of the tourism and hospitality sector in the West Midlands. Members of the Board work to advise regional partners, aligning efforts to achieve the vision for the West Midlands.

The Board reports to both the West Midlands Combined Authority and the West Midlands Mayor. The Board can advise on policy and funding needs at a regional and national level, informing the region’s domestic and international tourism strategy.

From the Board’s perspective, a key point of growth is the success of Coventry being named the City of Culture and the incredible Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. These keystone events and achievements give the region a jumping-off point for further economic growth in the tourism and hospitality sector.

To this end, the Board meets quarterly, attending further meetings and appointments where necessary, while serving or leading any relevant task forces in between.

The Board also:

  • Acts as a sector consultee for proposals (such as from the UK Government or the British Tourist Authority)
  • Give weight to the sector when lobbying to decision- and policy-makers
  • Provide a high-profile voice for tourism and hospitality in the region
  • Review progress made by the West Midlands Growth Company and other relevant hospitality bodies to deliver sustainable tourism and hospitality services, such as ensuring that national initiatives are properly leveraged for action in the region

Decisions of the Board are made by discussion and consensus, rather than a vote, although a formal vote can be called for should the Board be unable to reach a shared decision.

The Tourism and Hospitality Board members are passionate, knowledgeable individuals with experience and influence in the sector. They share the core value of wanting to grow the sector sustainably, generating and protecting jobs for the people of the region, while creating memorable experiences for visitors.

  • Andrew Lovett – Black Country Living Museum (Chair)
  • Becky Frall – West Midlands Growth Company (Secretariat)
  • Al Titterington – Birmingham Airport
  • Kate Nicholls – UKHospitality
  • Kelly Haslehurst – NEC Group
  • Nicola Underhill – Hilton Metropole and Vice Chair of Birmingham Hoteliers Association
  • Ninder Johal – Black Country entrepreneur
  • Sara Blair-Manning – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
  • Sarah Rennie – Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist
  • Wendy Parry – Herbert Museum and Art Gallery

“Hospitality is a real strong suit for us here in our region. The sector has the potential to be a major growth area and job creator in the months and years ahead – despite the many pressures and challenges we’re facing today. 

“To help support businesses during these tough times, we’re introducing a top-notch West Midlands Tourism & Hospitality Advisory Board. We now have a vastly experienced team in place, with some of the region’s biggest and brightest names taking part to drive the sector forward. 

“If we can work together to get this right, our hospitality sector will support our efforts to promote pride in place as well as attract more people to visit, live and work in our wonderful region. Our new West Midlands Tourism & Hospitality Board will bolster these efforts – tapping into the wealth of expertise we are blessed with to reinforce some of our natural strengths as a region.” 

West Midlands leads UK’s COVID recovery with record visitor numbers in 2022

01.06.2023

  • Region experiences huge surge of tourists thanks to high-profile events including Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games 

  • West Midlands’ visitor economy now worth record £14.1bn as tourists flock to spend money on region’s retail, culinary and recreational offer 

  • Hotel occupancy in Birmingham reaches new heights in summer 2022, with 95% of city’s rooms filled on 6 August 

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Birmingham to host UK first as manufacturing events unite at the NEC

31.05.2023

  • 8000+ attendees expected at Manufacturing and Engineering Week, joining eight further industry events at the NEC for the first time
     
  • Industry joins forces as Make UK calls for Industrial Strategy to support growth and green transition
     
  • Speakers include Nusrat Ghani, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade and Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK
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Mayor visits leading West Midlands healthcare business

24.05.2023

  • Celadon Pharmaceuticals Plc, a UK leader in breakthrough cannabis-based medicines, outlines ambitious growth plans for the West Midlands 
  • Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, visits company’s ground-breaking Birmingham-based cultivation and manufacturing facility 
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