COUNCIL chiefs have expressed their fears over planned changes to tourism services in part of the North.

The main proposals for North Yorkshire are a larger role for the development agency Yorkshire Forward, a new tourism group to promote the region, and the creation of destination management organisations (DMO).

The tourism group could be a new organisation or a revamped Yorkshire Tourist Board.

Under the proposals, there would be DMOs for York and North Yorkshire, responsible for product development, visitor management and services to support tourism businesses.

The DMOs would be member organisations, with tourism businesses paying a subscription to use services.

However, the proposals have been considered in detail by North Yorkshire County Council's economic development and regeneration overview and scrutiny committee, and members were unhappy with the consultation process.

The committee's chairman, Roger Harrison-Topham, said: "The tourist industry plays a vital role in North Yorkshire's economy.

"While Yorkshire Forward's increased involvement in our tourist industry has potential benefits, there is considerable concern at the haste with which they are putting through the consultation on these major changes. We cannot see the tourist industry jeopardised by change, itself likely to be disruptive, unless that change demonstrates a clear advantage to our numerous tourism businesses.

"We are particularly concerned that those businesses be properly consulted in the process, and they will need more time and more detail, financial detail in particular."

The intention is to have an agreed tourism structure in place by April next year.

Details of the proposed structure can be found at www.yorkshire-forward.com

There is a questionnaire on the website, and the closing date for responses is Friday, April 23.