What’s Your Marmalade Sandwich?
This was the question Bernard Donoghue OBE, Director of ALVA, (Association of Leading Visitor Attractions) asked of his audience at The Great Sussex Way’s highly popular Tourism Forum, held on Wednesday 5th November.
A reference to Paddington Bear’s favourite snack - and an initiative created at Paddington, The Musical, which recently opened in London's West End - the question aimed to encourage Chichester District’s tourist attractions and businesses to think about what they could offer that was unique to them.
What is the Tourism Forum?
Tourism partners from across Chichester District: museums and galleries, vineyards and heritage sites, as well as representatives from the finest historic houses and headline events, gathered to brainstorm the challenges and success stories experienced in the industry over the last year.
Guests listened with rapt attention to the valuable and thought provoking insights of Bernard Donoghue, who shared his vast experience and wisdom on current trends in the tourism market and how to maximise the opportunities available within the industry as we look to the future.
Following on from Bernard’s inspirational talk, the meeting room at the Weald and Downland Living Museum was alive with questions and topics to be discussed. There were opportunities for tourism partners to share their own thoughts on the industry, exchange ideas and ask for expert advice from Bernard himself.
Afterwards followed a welcome opportunity to network and the chance for a catch up amongst friends and colleagues from both large and small attractions within the district.
Danielle Dunfield, CEO of The Great Sussex Way, said:
“The Tourism Forum showcases what our organisation does so well: fostering the opportunity for collaboration and mutual support amongst our members, which benefits everyone as we attract greater numbers of visitors to our beautiful area.
“We are so grateful to Bernard Donoghue for his fascinating insights into the tourism industry and are excited to build on his expertise to support our tourism community in the future.”
This was the third forum hosted by The Great Sussex Way and is just one of a programme of events organised throughout the year to support their tourism partners.
If you would like more information about The Great Sussex Way, what we do and we can help your business or organisation, please contact [email protected].
Contact information for businesses and events in Chichester District and West Sussex can be found on The Great Sussex Way website.
About Bernard Donoghue
Bernard Donoghue is the Director and CEO of ALVA, the UK’s Association for Leading Visitor Attractions (since September 2011). Bernard's career was built in advocacy, communications, and lobbying, including roles at VisitBritain. Since 2022 Bernard has been the co-Chair of the tourism advisory board of London and Partners - VisitLondon, having been appointed as Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan's Ambassador for Cultural Tourism and a member of the Mayor's Cultural Leadership Board.
ALVA is the principal advocacy body for the most important and significant museums, galleries, palaces, stately homes, cathedrals, heritage sites, gardens, zoos, performance venues and visitor attractions. Under Bernard’s leadership the organisation’s membership has more than doubled in size and it undertakes six times more events and activities for members.
Bernard's other roles include:
Chairman of the Board of the Bristol Old Vic, the oldest continually working theatre in the English-speaking world, since June 2021.
Chairman of the People’s History Museum, the Museum of Democracy, having been a Trustee since 2018.
Chairman of the London and South East Regional Advisory Board of the National Trust.
He has been a member of the UK Government's Tourism Industry Council, advising Ministers on all matters relating to domestic and inbound tourism, since 2016.
