Blackpool / UK: Amanda Thompson Awarded the OBE

Amanda Thompson, Managing Director of Pleasure Beach Blackpool, has been awarded the "Order of the British Empire" (OBE) for her services to tourism in the Queen's New Year's Honors list. As one of the few female Managing Directors within the amusement industry, Amand Thompson leads one of Britain's top tourist attractions. She has been MD of the park since 2004 and keeps up a long family tradition to continue building on the success of Pleasure Beach Blackpool. She says: "I feel very honoured and deeply privileged to have received this accolade and to follow in my father's footsteps as he was also awarded the OBE for his services to tourism. It's very important for me to carry on in the tradition of Pleasure Beach and long may the success continue." (eap)