Cotswolds tourism boost (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cotswolds tourism boost

CIRENCESTER will be flagged up as the jewel in the South West's tourism crown next month.

Tourist chiefs from across the South West will visit the town on April 5 as part of a fact finding mission.

And major attractions such as the newly refurbished Corinium Museum, Brewery Arts and the parish church will be included on a guided tour.

Jane Miller, senior assistant at Cirencester Visitor Information Centre, which is organising the event, said: "The aim is to give Cirencester and it's top quality attractions a boost within the local region.

"For the first time, Cirencester Visitor Information Centre is arranging a visit for tourism representatives to show them what the town has to offer now and in the future.

"This is a positive thing for the area, which it is hoped will bring more people into the town to appreciate its highlights."

Cirencester, which was the second most important town in Roman Britain, has become a Mecca for tourists from all over the world, fascinated with its history and architecture.

Cirencester Visitor Information Centre is organising the event to highlight the town's title as 'Capital of the Cotswolds'.

The Corinium Museum re-opened last year after a multi-million pound refurbishment and is proving more popular with visitors than ever before. The facility was once praised in one of legendary writer Bill Bryson's humorous travel books but has developed significantly since then.

Meanwhile, Cotswold District Council has pledged £500,000 towards refurbishing the popular Brewery Arts centre, which hosts everything from craft workshops to plays.

The parish church, which is one of the largest churches in the country, has also been subjected to a major improvement project.

A spokesman for Cotswold District Council said: "The people taking part in this tour have been invited because they work at Tourist Information Centres (TICs) in the areas immediately surrounding the Cotswold district.

"In this way the TIC staff have first hand experience of these attractions, and so are aware of the reasons to be sending visitors to their offices further afield."

The guided tour starts at the Cotswold Water Park Gateway Centre and will culminate with a trip around area, which is Britain's largest inland water park.