TOURISM chiefs who recently launched a united campaign to attract more visitors to the county have controversially replaced its boss after barely six months in the job.

Cheryl Mvula, appointed interim chief executive of the new Kent Tourism Alliance in March and given widespread media exposure, including a feature in Kent Business, has lost out on the permanent job.

The influential private/public sector partnership that includes Kent County Council, Eurotunnel, and Leeds Castle, has chosen Ross MacCulloch as "permanent" chief executive.

Like Faversham-based Dr Mvula, Mr MacCulloch has experience of Africa. He previously worked for tour operator Abercrombie and Kent in East Africa and Western Australia.

Dr Mvula, 38, worked with animal conservation and anti-poaching projects in Zambia before coming to Kent. She was widely expected to land the permanent job and had hoped to use her African experience to promote Kent and Medway as a great tourist destination.

KTA has been given some £2 million to raise the county's profile as a great place for holidays and short breaks. Dr Mvula will work alongside Mr MacCulloch for four weeks to ensure a smooth handover and has been asked to stay on at the KTA in another capacity.

Dr Mvula said: "I'm obviously disappointed. I've given it my best and I think I've done a good job but if someone can do it better than me, then good luck."

She added: "I am extremely pleased with the progress we have made during the Alliance's launch phase. The foundations of the KTA have been built over the past six months and are now strong and deeply rooted."

Bill Dix, KTA chairman, said: "On behalf of the partnership, I would like to thank Dr Mvula for all her efforts over the past six months.

"As a result of her hard work, the organisation has been strengthened and many new initiatives have been taken forward in preparation for the new marketing campaigns being planned for next year. "