Visit London appoints Travelodge CEO

Travelodge’s chief executive officer, Grant Hearn, has been officially appointed to the Visit London board.

The new position of Mr Hearn aims to strengthen the sector representations found on the Visit London board.

Hearn has formerly worked in top establishments including Hilton UK, Forte London, Whitbread, and is a director of the British Hospitality Association and a member of Mayor Ken Livingston's London Skills and Employment Board.

Visit London chief executive James Bidwell, said: "London is the number 1 city destination for international travel with 2007 and 2008 on track to be record years for overseas visitors to the capital. This is driving the London hotels sector which is now experiencing its strongest performance levels since the late 1990s."

Hearn comments on his new position, "How we position and drive the London offer now and beyond the 2012 Olympics is key to the long term success of this country's tourism offer…I hope that I can add to the Board's strong complement of skills to extend its influence even further."

The lead up to the Bejing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games and handover to London will be a major focus for Visit London this year.