VisitWiltshire has held its first tourism forum since the destination marketing organisation became a private company in 2011.

The event attracted an audience of over 160 VisitWiltshire members and partners from across the county.

The event offered participants the opportunity to contribute to VisitWiltshire’s future through an interactive planning session, and to hear about the company’s plans to promote Wiltshire and influence tourism development in 2012 and beyond.

Speakers at the event included Jeremy Brinkworth, director of business development at VisitEngland, Ian Rose, double Paralympic medallist and VisitWiltshire’s chief executive, David Andrews.

David Andrews said: “I'm delighted we've attracted so many members and partners from across the county to today's event.

"Not only do we have a record turnout for this type of tourism event in Wiltshire, but we’ve had fantastic levels of engagement and participation too."

VisitWiltshire priorities discussed at the Tourism Forum include launching a brand new www.visitwiltshire.co.uk website and online marketing focus in July; increasing arts, culture, retail and eating out membership; significantly increasing travel trade and PR activity, and developing new sector groups and industry partnerships.

The 160 delegates had a chance to help guide VisitWiltshire's future priorities and to input into how they want to see the organisation develop through an interactive workshop session. Currently the tourism industry is worth an estimated £1 billion per annum to Wiltshire's economy and supports more than 20,000 jobs.

For more information about VisitWiltshire and to become a member of this growing destination marketing organisation, please visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk or call them directly on 0845 602 7323.