A major three-year blueprint aimed at bringing thousands of tourists to the district will be unveiled next week.

The ambitious plan is expected to be approved by the Council's Leisure Services Committee on Tuesday.

A key feature is the setting up of high-powered partnerships involving public, private and voluntary sectors which would capitalise on the growing number of visitors to the district.

People are already flocking to attractions including the Bronte country, Bradford Colour Museum, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and Heritage Centres such as Saltaire and Little Germany. Tourism is now beginning to be big business in the district and employs 11,500 people.

The blueprint which councillors will consider includes:

* Preparing a co-ordinated business plan.

* Developing a national marketing campaign to promote the area.

* Developing customised training to support local tourism.

* Using information technology, including Internet, to boost the district's image.

Committee chairman Councillor Barry Thorne said: "The strategy aims to develop a partnership approach for tourism across the district into the millennium."

He said the joint approach would also provide a strong basis for drawing in outside funding.

The plan coincides with unprecedented level of leisure-based investments in the district.

Work includes the multi-million pound expansion of the National Museum, construction of a major hotel complex in Shipley, and the opening of large numbers of new bars and cafs/restaurants.

Plans are also being finalised to build a national Faith Heritage Centre in the City Centre.

Officers will tell the committee that tourism affects a wide range of businesses - many of them small and medium-sized enterprises. They include hotels, shops, transport providers and museums.

The officers will tell members that even where organisations and businesses are not directly involved in tourism themselves, they share the economic benefits of increased visitor spending in the area. They will point out that local people also enjoy the improvements to facilities and services.

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