THE Yorkshire tourist agency Welcome to Yorkshire has announced “with deep regret” that it will go into administration following an “incredibly difficult” past three years.

Chair of the agency, Peter Box said the decision was made after the impact of Covid, financial issues and “well-publicised legacy issues.”

Mr Box continued to argue that the De Bois review of Destination Management Organisations could have given Welcome to Yorkshire the “long-term funding required to move on.”

Read more: 'What on earth is gong on?' - Dead crabs STILL washing up on North East beaches

However, the decisions of Yorkshire Leaders not to commit to a multi-year funding package “removed that pathway” and means Welcome to Yorkshire “cannot continue in its present form.”

Mr Box added that he wanted to pay tribute to the team of “talented and dedicated” staff working to promote “Yorkshire’s many attractions.”

He added: “I offer my heartfelt thanks and wish them well in their future careers.

“I must also place on record my gratitude to those Board members who have remained with WtY, working selflessly in a collective effort to save the organisation from closure.

Mr Box continued to state his hope that a new regional Destination Management Organisation is found to “build on the many achievements of Welcome to Yorkshire.”

He said: “This can offer our tourism industry the chance to move forward with a focused approach, deliver on regional priorities, and secure the best outcomes for everyone who visits, lives, works and studies in Yorkshire.”

Rob Adamson, Michael Kienlen and Daryl Warwick of Armstrong Watson LLP have been appointed as Joint Administrators of Welcome to Yorkshire today (March 1)

Read more: School is set on fire - two teens are arrested on suspicion of arson

Mr Box says the Joint Administration intend to trade the company for a period of time while they finalise a strategy to secure the “best possible results for the creditors of the Company."

The agency was hit by expenses scandles and bullying claims in 2019, forcing the then CEO Gary Verity to resign.

His departure was later followed by the resignation of chairman Ron McMillan.

James Mason took the helm in December 2019, but announced in September 2020 that he would be stepping down after less than two years in the role.

In February last year new documents also revealed that Welcome to Yorkshire had spent £430,000 removing and investiging its former Chief Executive, Sir Gary Verity.

-----

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated North Yorkshire Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054