The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) has announced that its director, Bernard Donoghue, has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) n the Queen’s birthday honours. This recognises his contribution to the country’s tourism and culture sectors, following his many years of work and advocacy for UK tourism, as well as his non-executive roles in the cultural sector.
Donoghue took on his role at ALVA in 2011, and in the decade that followed he has helped to double the association’s membership.
ALVA represents the UK’s most popular and most important cultural sites, with members including Chester Zoo, the Eden Project, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, the National Trust, Shakespeare’s Globe, The British Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Representing the sector
In 2021 Donoghue, who represents the sector on the UK Government’s Tourism Industry Council, was also presented with the Museum and Heritage COVID Special Recognition Award for his efforts to advocate for and support UK attractions and cultural institutions throughout the pandemic.
He is also the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre, the Chair of the Board of the People’s History Museum – the Museum of Democracy, and Chair of the National Trust’s Regional Advisory Board for London and the South East. Furthermore, he served as Chair of the London International Festival of Theatre for 11 years, until 2021.
The Mayor of London asked him to serve on the Mayor’s Cultural Leadership Board in 2017, and he is also the Mayor’s Ambassador for Cultural Tourism. Donoghue co-chairs the London Tourism Recovery Board, which is working towards the sustainable recovery of the capital’s visitor economy.
“A great honour”
“This is a great honour and a great surprise,” says Donoghue. “Tourism and culture have had the most turbulent, challenging few years and the public have been reminded of how important they are to our lives, so it’s an enormous privilege to be able to contribute to their recovery, growth and dynamism.
“I’m very grateful – and touched – to have been nominated and believe that this honour also reflects and recognises those I work with in ALVA and across the cultural sector.”
Baroness Wheatcroft, Chairman, ALVA, adds: “I am absolutely delighted that Bernard’s phenomenal contribution to the tourism and culture sectors is being recognised with the award of an OBE.
“In his time at ALVA, he has been a powerful force of energy and enthusiasm on behalf of the organisation and its members but his impact on the entire sector has been huge. This was even more pronounced during the pandemic when his daily bulletins were a source of elucidation and support for organisations that were desperately hard hit. Bernard’s tireless efforts on behalf of a vital part of the UK economy are certainly worthy of this award.”
Earlier this year, ALVA released the 2021 visitor figures from its members, revealing demand for outdoor attractions such as gardens, parks and zoos.
