[C]umbria Tourism’s new Managing Director Gill Haigh has taken up her role at the helm of the county’s official tourism destination marketing organisation today, Monday 18 September 2017.
Cumbria’s tourism sector is worth more than £2.72 billion to the local economy – supporting around 63,000 jobs – and Cumbria Tourism is the county’s largest membership organisation representing 2,500 tourism businesses.
Gill Haigh joins the organisation following her most recent role as Director of Marketing and Recruitment at the University of Cumbria. During her 25 year career in marketing and communications, she has gained substantial leadership experience across both the private and public sectors, including travel and tourism.
Gill says, “I’m proud to be taking up this new role at one of the leading destination marketing organisations nationally. Potential visitors have ever more choice about where to spend their time and money, but there are many opportunities too.
That is why it’s so important that Cumbria Tourism continues to deliver on its incredible track record of attracting visitors to the county and supporting businesses through its range of digital, marketing, research and PR support services.
“One of my top priorities will be looking at how we reach out to new and emerging markets both domestically and internationally, drawing on the kudos of having two world Heritage Sites in the county. It is also essential that the organisation continues to work together with the industry to influence key policy-makers and ensure that regional and national decision-making and infrastructure supports the needs of our £2.72billion visitor sector.
“I will be getting out across the county in the coming weeks to meet with Cumbria Tourism members and to listen to their views. I am looking forward to working with a range of businesses and other strategic partners to help devise new ways not just to attract visitors, but to encourage them to stay longer, explore more and increase their spend.”
Gill lives near Kirkby Lonsdale with her husband and two children. Her previous jobs include a senior local government position, heading up destination marketing and tourism services for Lancaster City Council. She also spent four years as North West Public Relations Manager for the National Farmers’ Union, having begun her career as a journalist.
