The future looks bright for tourism in the county, despite the resignation of two Orkney Tourist Board (OTB) directors.

That’s the view of new OTB chairman John Hinkley, who took over the post last week in the wake of the resignations of Stewart Anderson and Gareth Crichton.

Both Mr Anderson and Mr Crichton declined to comment on the reason for their sudden departure, which appeared to centre on a row over Mr Anderson’s non-elected position as chairman. At the OTB’s annual meeting, members voted to elect Mr Anderson to the position in retrospect, but both men resigned 24-hours later after a private meeting of OTB.

New chairman John Hinckley said: “I am very pleased and honoured to be asked to be chairman.

“In terms of the future, I am very confident that tourism will go from strength to strength in Orkney.

“We have had two record years for tourist numbers. There are a few challenges on the horizon with the area tourist board review, the results of which we have been waiting for for over a year.

“This leaves the future uncertain although what I am sure of is that Orkney will remain a great tourist destination.”

Barbara Foulkes, chief executive of the Orkney Tourist Board, said: “OTB regrets very much the resignation of Stewart Anderson and one of the directors, Gareth Crichton.

“Stewart Anderson felt as a co-opted member of the board and after serving as chairman for the past two years it was time for a new chairman.”

She added: “Gareth Crichton resigned as director following a challenging meeting of the board of directors.”

Councillor Jim Foubister, who is on the board of directors, added: “I am very happy with the appointment of John Hinckley as chairman of the Orkney Tourist Board.

“I feel that together we can sit on the back of two very successful years and drive the industry forward to achieve even greater things.

“There are issues which require to be resolved, including the make up of the constitution and I have asked for all existing directors to be issued with a copy of the constitution and at the next board meeting hopefully the board will then review the constitution.

“Any changes will have to be brought up at an emergency general meeting.”