LTB’s Campbell targets high-spenders

LONDON Tourist Board has appointed David Campbell as its new chief executive.

Campbell, currently non-executive chairman of Zenith Entertainment, takes up the post on June 9 with a reported salary of £250,000 plus bonuses.

LTB deputy managing director Sandra Elliott predicted one of his goals would be to grow visitor numbers, targeting 2000's figure of 31.6 million. He will also be charged with compiling London's bid for the 2012 Olympics.

"Attracting back the high-spending, long-stay tourists is likely to be one of his main priorities,” she said.

All this is in accordance with meeting mayor Ken Livingstone’s VisitLondon plan for boosting tourism in the capital. Already £7 million has been allocated to promote London’s tourism, with £15 million needed to recover tourism from the current downturn.

Following Campbell’s appointment, LTB’s Board will be restructured. The post of managing director, following Paul Hopper's retirement on February 28, will be filled for an interim period by Elliott.

Previous roles held by Campbell included helping to found the Ginger Media Group with DJ Chris Evans. He was also the youngest marketing manager for Pepsi.