THE boss of a York-based attraction operator has joined a new national organisation which aims to improve skills and jobs in tourism.

Juliana Delaney, chief executive of Continuum Leading Attractions, is on the board of the Tourism Industry Council, which has been created under a new partnership between the Government and the tourism and hospitality sectors.

The council, which has just held its first meeting, will focus on improving skills, increasing the quality and quantity of jobs available and boost enterprise in the industry, for example by looking at increasing the number of apprenticeships.

Other members of the 22-strong council, all leading players in travel and tourism, include VisitBritain, VisitEngland, easyJet,, Google and Eurostar.

Minister for Tourism Helen Grant said the tourism and hospitality industry helped to sell Britain, contributed to economic growth and helped drive investment, adding: "The government is committed to working in partnership with the sector to build on the success achieved to date and to help deliver further economic growth for tourism related businesses across the country."

News of Ms Delaney's appointment comes as Continuum enjoys a huge success with its latest venture, the Coronation Street Tour.

Continuum, based in Margaret Street off Walmgate, was approached by ITV to operate Tour on the former set in Manchester where the filming for the soap took place for more than 50 years before moving to MediaCityUK in Trafford.

Ms Delaney said its visitor numbers target was 150,000 in six months, after which the attraction was due to close to allow the site to be re-developed.

It now it looked set to double that figure, having already attracted 150,000 visitors since opening in April, and the success was so great that she intended to discuss the possibility of extending the Tour beyond six months.

She revealed that Continuum was also involved in conversations about opening new attractions in West Yorkshire and London, although details could not be revealed at this stage.

Earlier this year, Continuum revealed ambitious plans to double its attraction portfolio over the next five years.

It already has a portfolio of seven attractions, including York's Chocolate Story, The Canterbury Tales in Canterbury and The Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, as well as the Coronation Street Tour.