A NEW free-to-join tourism network has been launched to help tourism business owners develop their enterprises by sharing expertise.

Susan Briggs of Masham has created The Yorkshire Tourism Network (YTN) in response to traders from B&B owners to tourist attractions saying they can feel isolated when it comes to making decisions that can impact their company’s development.

Ms Briggs, who has worked in tourism marketing for more than 30 years, has run networks in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors for the last ten-years on a voluntary basis.

She has now created the YTN to arrange tourism marketing events, offer advice through an online hub, send out regular updates about industry issues as well as share marketing ideas and advice such as how to attract more online bookings.

She explains: “The idea of the Yorkshire Tourism Network is to help businesses feel less isolated, create new collaborations and offer practical solutions to common issues.

“Having worked in the industry for so long I know what works and can help businesses avoid some of the pitfalls. The Network is free to join so I hope tourism businesses across Yorkshire will sign up and benefit as soon as possible.”

It is also hoped the New YTN will offer opportunities for tourism businesses to debate topics that affect the industry and to act as a lobbying body to help them get the services they need. Join the network at TourismNetwork.co.uk