The Keighley-born organiser of an international conference on cultural tourism has spoken of the importance of new ideas in the field

Susannah Daley hopes the event in Skipton next month will expand the horizons of people working in heritage, museums and cultural attractions.

The Expanding Horizons conference will be hosted by PEEL Heritage at its base in Broughton Hall, and is expected to attract 100 delegates.

Speakers include Ed Vaizey, the minister for culture, communications and creative industries and representatives from the European Historic Houses Association and Louvre in Paris. PEEL also has a studio in Hanover Street, Keighley, where it trains actors for a wide range of performances, including special events at UK visitor attractions.

Susannah said the heritage, museums and cultural tourism sector was ever changing.

She added: “It is increasingly important we share ideas and inspire one another to adopt new approaches.

“The purpose of the event is to expand the horizons of our delegates to keep attractions innovative, thought-provoking and modern.”

Susannah said the recent statistics showed tourism and heritage were among Britain’s core economic assets, and were critical to the country’s economic recovery.

She added: “The industry has almost twice the export potential of IT and communications, and heritage-based tourism directly accounts for at least 253,000 jobs.”