The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) has appointed Baroness Patience Wheatcroft, former editor of the Sunday Telegraph, as its new board director.

Baroness Wheatcroft, who was appointed to the Conservative benches in the House of Lords in 2010, is also a trustee of the British Museum - a member of ALVA - and made her maiden speech in the Lords on the importance of tourism.

She will attend her first ALVA meeting at RHS Wisley on Thursday, September 20, 2012, which will have a strong emphasis on making attractions family-friendly.

Bernard Donoghue, chief executive of ALVA, said: "Baroness Wheatcroft brings with her huge experience of business, journalism and corporate governance and has a real passion for our heritage, attractions and the importance of tourism."

Other ALVA board members include Hon. Simon Howard (Castle Howard); Lord Lee of Trafford; Pim Baxter (National Portrait Gallery, London); David Cam (Blackpool Pleasure Beach); Canon Dr Jane Hedges (Westminster Abbey); John Meardon (Canterbury Cathedral); Tim Reeve (English Heritage) and Dan Wolfe (Royal Horticultural Society).