TOURISM bosses have joined forces to discuss the issues and challenges they face.

More than 40 representatives of business, attractions, traders and councils have agreed improvements can be made to boost Tendring’s �350million a year tourism industry.

Tendring District Council organised the event at Clacton’s Princes Theatre last week to identify areas of improvement for the 2013 season.

Council leader Peter Halliday said: “We are aware of the massive benefit of tourism to Tendring and that is why I have appointed a cabinet member just for tourism for the first time.

“Some have been disenchanted with the council and its attitude to tourism in the past but I can assure you we want to be able to help providers solve some of their problems.”

Alan Goggin, cabinet member for tourism, said: “We have a tourism strategy, a fantastic document, but the job now is to bring that to life.

“We already possess a coastline that gives us so much; some of the best beaches and great places to visit with history coming out of our ears. We have the product – we must promote it.”

Town and parish councils will be encouraged to appoint someone to look after tourism.