Bass chief heads tourism council

Bass chairman Sir Ian Prosser has become chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

He replaces Harvey Golub, the chief executive of American Express, who has been chairman of the council since 1996.

Prosser is the first European to chair the organisation, whose members are chief executives from all sections of the tourist business, including hotels, catering, entertainment and travel.

The main aim of the council is to persuade governments of the importance of promoting tourism for the world economy.

Prosser said: "We are determined to raise tourism up the agenda of political and public debate around the world, working with governments to take advantage of the enormous opportunities ahead."

In addition to his role at Bass, Prosser is a non-executive director of BP Amoco and Glaxo SmithKline.