Black Country Living Museum Showcases Local Attractions at Exhibition

PRESS RELEASE 5 Feb 2015

On Saturday 21 February Black Country Living Museum will play host to the 2015 Tourism & Attractions show, a regional travel trade show aimed at giving group travel organisers fresh and exciting ideas for days out and short breaks. The Museum will act as a comprehensive showcase for tourism and events in the region, with exhibitors including the West Midland Safari Park, the Dudley Canal Trust, BBC Birmingham and many more.

This is the first time the Museum will host an exhibition of this type – previous hosts have included Ironbridge Gorge Museum and the Wedgwood Visitor Centre. The Museum is expecting around 300 group travel organisers to attend the show, all of whom will be able to experience the rich history of the Black Country via the Museum’s live demonstrations and talks from costumed demonstrators, to encourage them to return, with their members, as part of a full day’s itinerary in Dudley and the surrounding area.

Adrian Gates, commercial director at Landor Travel Publications, the show organiser, in partnership with the Black Country Living Museum said, ‘We are delighted to be holding the Tourism & Attractions Show in Dudley in such a successful museum and visitor attraction, and we look forward to welcoming members of the region’s burgeoning group travel fraternity on 21st February.

Laura Wakelin from BCLM added, ‘we can’t wait to showcase all the fantastic attractions that we have in this region. This is the first time we’ve hosted an exhibition of this nature, and it’s a great opportunity for us to show everyone what the Black Country Living Museum is all about.”

The Tourism & Attractions show will run from 10am – 2pm. Visitors can register for free entry into TAS via the show’s website, www.tourismandattractions.co.uk or contact Julie Hart on 01424 572089 email [email protected] Further information about the venue and directions can be found on www.bclm.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Abby Bird (PR & Marketing Coordinator) T: 0121 521 5692 M: 07901 575995 E: [email protected]

Notes to Editors

For an overview of the importance of tourism to the economy see the Tourism Alliance website for UK tourism statistics 2014. www.tourismalliance.com/downloads/TA_365_390.pdf

For press enquiries please contact:

Val Baynton Tel: 01785 817187; Mobile: 07855 428602

Email: [email protected]

About the Museum

Established in 1978, Black Country Living Museum is one of the UK’s leading open-air museums. Designated by Arts Council England for the quality and national significance of its collections, it is a remarkable place to explore, enjoy and spend time. Set in 26 acres with over 150 historic buildings and features, and attracting c250,000 visitors each year and almost 8m people since it first opened, it offers a glimpse into 200 years of history like no other. The Museum (a registered educational charity) records and exemplifies the contribution and impact of the Black Country region since the 18th century to the development of the modern industrialized world. Black Country folk changed the world, and the Museum tells the story of a very special time and place in history and some of the most hard-working, ingenious and influential people you could imagine. It offers a visitor experience that few others can match .