A LEADING officer with the British Tourist Authority has been speaking to the Tenby and District branch of the Labour Party.
Former pupil of Tenby Junior School and Greenhill School, Adrian Bevan, who now works as Director of Development and Campaigns for the British Tourist Authority in London, was guest speaker at the group's monthly meeting.
A non-political event, the meeting was open to members of the general public and specifically those with a special interest in tourism, such as hoteliers, business people and those in local government.
Having graduated in languages and politics at Leeds in 1984, Adrian took up a career with the BTA and has since worked in many capacities for the government organisation. Amongst his managerial roles, he worked in Los Angeles, and later in charge of the Middle East/India and Pakistan office based in Dubai. Before his present appointment, he was Director of Sports Tourism, when he consolidated this new department in London.
The speaker gave his audience a very informative and professional overview of tourism in Britain, his fluency reflecting the depth of his background knowledge and experience. He explained the work of the BTA and how Wales, especially, was currently profiled.
Adrian concluded by outlining his present personal responsibility, which is a current review of food and drink in Britain. He had a full programme of interviews with top chefs, food writers, restaurateurs, brewery experts, wine producers, and organic food growers. The latter involves an interview at Highgrove with HRH Prince Charles.
Adrian was pleased not to miss the Taste of Wales promotion in Tenby and the Café Culture Day.
The audience showed their warm appreciation of Adrian's lecture; and all were presented with a tourism promotion pack and t-shirt, before Adrian answered many questions relating to local tourism issues.