Rail museum boss Andrew Scott has been elected to lead York's tourism industry into the new Millennium.

Andrew Scott, the new head of the York Tourism Bureau, with Andrew Murgatroyd, of Borders bookshop. Picture: Garry Atkinson

Mr Scott, head of the National Railway Museum, has taken over as chairman of York Tourism Bureau from Denise Howard of YorkBoat, who has held the post for the last three years.

The Bureau represents a cross-section of the tourism industry in York and one of Mr Scott's first tasks has been to welcome Borders as its latest member.

Andrew Murgatroyd, general manager of Borders pledged his company's support for the Bureau even before the new Davygate store opened in November.

He said: "The city's retail sector is a very important part of York's tourism industry and is increasingly one of the reasons why visitors are choosing York.

"And we have chosen to open in the beautiful city of York because we believe its varied population of shoppers will embrace our new store. We look forward to welcoming locals, students, business people and tourists and hope we'll fit right into York's thriving and vibrant culture."

Mr Scott says that the Bureau's job is to maximise the benefits that York gains from the tourist industry. Its 325 members work together to ensure that York's tourism marketing is done by those who are involved in the industry and at incredible value for money.

"Last year tourism brought £250m into York and supported thousands of jobs," said Mr Scott.

"Next year we aim to do even better. But with millennium celebrations all over Britain 2000 will be an even more challenging year than usual. That's why it is important that everyone who is involved in the industry joins in and I am delighted to welcome Borders - as a new arrival in York's tourism industry - into the club."

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