Cumbria Tourism’s Managing Director will be among the headline speakers at a high-profile conference this week (Thursday 20 October) alongside other prominent national leaders in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Gill Haigh, who recently marked five years at the helm of the county’s official Destination Management Organisation (DMO), will be flying the flag for Cumbria’s tourism businesses at the TMI (Tourism Management Institute) Convention taking place at Teeside University.

The two-day event brings together tourism industry experts from across the UK, as the sector continue to adapt and innovate in the post-pandemic world.

With Cumbria Tourism’s latest Business Performance Survey highlighting the ongoing pressures tourism operators are facing as they head toward winter, the conference is a key opportunity to discuss key issues including spiralling costs, staff shortages and continued uncertainty about the future.

Gill Haigh will also take part in a panel discussion focusing on tourism policy and priorities, alongside the Chief Executive of VisitBritain Patricia Yates and former Director of The Tourism Alliance Kurt Janson.

She says, “This session is all about the importance of our communities and working collaboratively with partners and businesses to support positive visiting experiences for all. That includes those who visit the Lake District, Cumbria, as well as those who live and work here.

“Cumbria Tourism is proud to be a part of the multi-agency Tactical Visitor Management Group, formed during the pandemic, not only to ensure safe visiting and reduce pressures on communities, but also to support the visitor economy recovery, protect the landscape and ensure welcoming and first-class visitor experience for all.

“The group works closely alongside organisations including the police, Lake District National Park, local authorities, Mountain Rescue, and major landowners such as the National Trust and Forestry England.

“It has taken an evidenced and proactive approach to supporting positive visiting and, whilst it started as a reaction to a challenging situation, there is a long-term commitment to joined up working to support visitor management across the county.

“The TMI Convention is a great opportunity to share Cumbria’s experiences and strengthen our collective approach as a tourism industry.”

It comes just days after Gill took centre-stage closer to home, with headline speaker slots speaking directly to businesses at the KTA (Keswick Tourism Association) 2022 Forum and the Lake District National Park’s ‘Business Task Force’ event.

She is also one of the leading Cumbrian business women invited to be a panellist at a Trailblazer Event being held by In-Cumbria magazine in Penrith on Friday 21 October.