WIRRAL hosted a meeting for the Merseyside tourism industry at the Woodside Ferry terminal. BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Summerskill introduced the Mersey Partnership meeting commenting that Wirral afforded the best views of Liverpool.

Wirral firms involved in tourism attended this first meeting of Wirral Tourism Business Network.

Christopher Gibaud, chief executive of Mersey Partnership, Alan Moody, chief executive of CEWTEC, Andy Worthington, chief executive, Wirral Leisure and Tourism, and Brimstage businessman Tony Branthwaite, chair of Wirral Tourism Business Network (TBN), all spoke of how important tourism is to the region, particularly to Wirral.

Mr Gibaud said: "Wirral TBN will provide an opportunity for hotels, guest houses, sport and leisure providers, restaurants, pubs and other firms to work together to boost tourism and develop business."

Mr Worthington followed up Roger's theme by highlighting the attraction of the Wirral coastline, plus other amenities, such as Birkenhead's new transport museum at Pacific Road, the trams, Birkenhead Priory, the Warship Trust and Birkenhead Hamilton Quarter.

He was optimistic that the Ocean Dome project could be built at New Brighton, but would give no promises that it would happen. "Everyone on the Council is doing their best to deliver it!" he said.

Mr Moody stressed the need of partnership and a business approach to tourism, sharing Mr Worthington's hope that the Ocean Dome happens.

For more information, contact Cherryl Duke on 227-2727.

Mr Branthwaite concluded by inviting the audience to join the Wirral Tourism Business Network.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.