MORE than 200 people packed the City Hall and Salisbury Playhouse for the VisitWiltshire tourism conference.

The business-to-business event showcased what tourist attractions the county has to offer ahead of what is expected to be a bumper year with Salisbury celebrating the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta.

Travel writer Simon Caulder gave a speech about business ideas of how to make a trip to Wiltshire unique.

VisitWiltshire recently launched its new “Timeless”

brand which draws on the county’s history and the fact that it is now time to visit.

David Andrews, chief executive, reported that bookings in January and February were up on last year but work still had to be done long-term to improve the hotel mix that is on offer.

It comes after a new report commissioned by VisitWiltshire outlines how the county needs to develop a stronger identity and improve transport if it is to maximise its potential as a tourist hotspot.

The report says that visitors must be encouraged to stay longer and visit more often.

To do this, more visitor attractions must be built and more must be made of the area’s significant heritage such as Avebury and Stonehenge.