As Director of Tourism, Kathryn oversees and manages the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) within VisitWest. She represents the destinations at national, local and international forums such as Visit England’s DMO forum, English Heritage Cities, the Great West Way Advisory Board among others, and is a Board Member of UKInbound and Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.
VisitWest represents Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, businesses within these areas and members beyond. Kathryn’s strategic role includes the reduction in seasonality and extension of visitor stays, identifying opportunities and trends across the visitor economy, including the role of culture, film and culinary travel.
In this interview, Kathryn discusses the impacts of the pandemic 'staycation' on rural areas and highlights the importance of good public transport services as a solution.