Tony Palgrave, Chair of Destination Milton Keynes, said: “Destination Milton Keynes, founded and operated predominantly by the private sector, is leading the city’s drive to develop its leisure and business tourism offer and to take advantage of new opportunities such as the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Our partnership with TSE will not only give excellent, additional member benefits but our combined strengths will ensure Milton Keynes has the infrastructure and support to take its place on the tourism map.”

Christine Melia, Director (Commercial) at TSE, said: “Tourism represents a £74billion sector in the UK, and generates more than £10billion for the South East’s economy. Our partnership with Destination Milton Keynes will bring new opportunities across marketing, training, research and much more to support the growth and quality standards of public and private sector tourism businesses of all types. TSE is delighted to be working with such a pioneering organisation and our combined strengths can only benefit the local tourism industry.”

The partnership will mean that any member of Destination Milton Keynes will automatically have membership to Tourism South East, which will provide a host of additional benefits.