Torbay's hoteliers are planning for a bright future.

Mayor Nick Bye recently had a private meeting with Torbay Hospitality Association's executive committee to discuss ways of attracting more holidaymakers to the Bay.Their meeting came after recent high-profile debates about who should run tourism in Torbay.

It also follows a report from consultant company Grant Thornton on how the council could be reorganised.

Mr Bye said: "It was a low-key meeting with the THA and it was quite useful.

"The situation we're in at the moment is the council is going through its reshaping exercise.

"The next stage includes further work from Grant Thornton on issues of how to support tourism and regeneration. How that happens is a piece of work for Grant Thornton.

"When we've got further thoughts from them, that might be when we can meet again with the THA and a whole range of other groups in Torbay. We need to reassure people in tourism we've got our act together. The future's good."

Gordon Oliver, chairman of THA, speaking at a public meeting of the THA, said of the meeting with the mayor: "There was talk of a potential change in the way tourism is run at the council and we invited the mayor to meet us and discuss what we're doing and how we can all help tourism prosper.

"There's much we have in common with the mayor and there are changes facing us all.

"We must look to how we work with other organisations to the best interests of the Bay.

"We have to maintain Torbay's share of the tourism business and then increase it.

"We will take on board his suggestions."

Mr Oliver said he had contacted Grant Thornton himself to gauge the company's views on how the THA could fit in with the council's plans for tourism.

At the THA's public meeting he also spoke at length about the THA's new website and brochure, which he said would be essential tools in bringing more visitors to Torbay.

Mr Oliver added: "The initial print run for the brochure is 30,000.

"They'll be sent out to key destinations as well as motorway stations and tourism information centres.

"We wanted to get them in a variety of sites in the north as well as the south.

"Wherever we see an opportunity, we'll take it.

"If it goes well, and I'm sure it will, we might print 100,000 next year.

"It's very important we get this right.

"The more publicity we generate, the more people we'll attract to the Bay, and that's what we all want."