Visit York Tourism Conference 2024

1 February 2024, 9:00-13:00

Creative Centre, York St John University

The Visit York Tourism Conference successfully returned on 1 February 2024 at the Creative Centre, York St John University.

Creative Collaborations in Tourism

Sponsored by LNER, the event was a productive gathering of city leaders and Visit York members, focusing on fostering creative collaborations and exploring new opportunities for York.

The conference featured several highlights:

  • Keynote speaker Martin Green CBE shared insights from his extensive experience in managing major cultural events in the UK, including the London 2012 Olympics and Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. His expertise provided valuable lessons for event management and cultural promotion. Download presentation ▸
  • Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, reviewed the accomplishments of the past year and outlined the strategic plans for 2024, emphasizing the organization's goals and initiatives. Download presentation ▸
  • Richard Nicholls, Visit Britain presented the latest in tourism insights and market trends, offering data-driven perspectives on the industry. Download presentation ▸
  • The panel discussion on York's Tourism Strategy highlighted the city's tourism priorities and opportunities, encouraging dialogue among industry stakeholders.

Hosted by Dr. Brendan Paddison, , Associate Professor and Associate Dean at York St John University. Brendan has an international reputation as a leading expert in tourism and sustainable destination development, and leads the Visitor Economy and Experience research group at York St John, is co-chair of the Tourism Education Futures Initiative (TEFI) and Chair of the York Tourism Advisory Board.

Revisit the Insights: Watch the Visit York Tourism Conference 2024 Online

Missed the Visit York Tourism Conference 2024 or wish to revisit the insightful discussions? Watch the recording of the event below to catch up on all the highlights and takeaways from the event dedicated to shaping the future of tourism in York.

Visit York Tourism Conference Speakers

Martin Green CBE

Martin has masterminded some of Britain’s most significant major cultural events including the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Hull UK City of Culture 2017, Unboxed; Creativity in the UK and most recently the ceremonies and cultural programmes for Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. In 2023 he led Eurovision in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine.

Such success has earned Martin an international reputation. He was an advisor to the Japan 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Dubai Expo 2020. In 2018 He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hull and made CBE in The Queen's New Year Honours List.

Martin Green Photo

Dr Brendan Paddison

As an urban geographer, Brendan's research interests include tourism and destination management, spatial justice, policy, and collaborative forms of destination governance and development. Brendan teaches across a range of Business and Management subject areas, including tourism, responsible business and politics and completed his PhD titled Governance and Community Advocacy in Tourism Development: An International Comparison.

Brendan leads the Visitor Economy and Experience research group at York St John, is co-chair of the Tourism Education Futures Initiative (TEFI) and Chair of the York Tourism Advisory Board. He is Subject Editor: Tourism for the Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education and a member of the editorial boards for the Journal of Teaching in Travel and Tourism and the e-Review of Tourism Research journal.

20231213 104956 1

Sponsors