THE managing director of a Suffolk hotel has found room for a key role chairing the county's tourism partnership. Noel Byrne of the Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket, officially took up his new post as chairman of Choose Suffolk Tourism Partnership at an event at Ipswich's Felaw Maltings.

LEAD

With pic of Chris Bushby and Noel Byrne

By Sarah Chambers

THE managing director of a Suffolk hotel has found room for a key role chairing the county's tourism partnership.

Noel Byrne of the Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket, officially took up his new post as chairman of Choose Suffolk Tourism Partnership at an event at Ipswich's Felaw Maltings.

Outgoing chairman Chris Bushby, executive director of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, spent two years in the role.

“I've really enjoyed my two years as Chairman as it's provided many opportunities for personal development and broadened my knowledge of the county and why it's such a great place to live and work,” he said.

Mr Byrne, who was previously vice chairman of the partnership, has been involved with the organisation for more than five years and is a keen advocate of the hospitality industry.

“I'm delighted to take on the role of Chairman,” he said.

“Tourism in Suffolk has gone from strength to strength and this can in part be attributed to previous chairman who have been extremely passionate about promoting and developing the industry in Suffolk' said Mr Byrne.

“Chris has helped move the tourism partnership forward and established a well respected organisation which is often considered a model for other counties to follow.”

The handover ceremony marked the launch of the new Suffolk Short Breaks brochure aimed at encouraging people from around the region, London and the South East to holiday in the county.

The 16 page brochure presents reasons to visit Suffolk and follows the key marketing themes of: Real, Fun and Indulge.

Tourism in Suffolk is valued at �1.6billion and directly employs some 26,000 people.