Regional and local relationships
Maureen McAllister Head of Culture and Tourism
South West of England Regional Development Agency
Sustainable tourism – sustainable visitor economy
The economic activity of visitors, embracing all of the elements that make a successful visitor destination. ► The attractors: destinations, natural environment, heritage and culture, iconic buildings, retail, sport, leisure and cultural facilities, food, gardens, events, scenery. ► The infrastructure: signs, transport, parking and orientation, interpretation, public space, amenities.
► The services: hotels and bars, pubs and restaurants, galleries, events and day-to-day services that make the place clean, safe and welcoming.
Ensuring sustainability of English tourism
All RDA working together to plan for the future
Focus on key issues, developing solutions and communicating 5 key priorities for RDAs ► Leadership ► Intelligence ► Managing the business ► Supporting business growth ► Improving the quality of place and experience All priorities are essential in ensuring sustainability of English tourism
Leadership
Clarity of agenda and clear strategic leadership
Influencing, interpreting and embedding policy
Responsibility and accountability Communication at all levels Co-ordination and connection One effective channel to lead the industry
Intelligence
If you can’t measure it, you can’t monitor it and you can’t manage it!
Set baselines – in terms of impact at all levels Provide credible and consistent data Monitor trends, but also look to the future – forecasts and opportunities Co-ordinate existing data and assess the need for new research, benchmarking and data collection
Managing the business
Ensure that tourism is a suitable and sustainable rival to other experiences Ensure that key elements are ‘built in’ to destination management and business operation: and professionalism ► Retention and morale ► Management ► Quality and customer care ► Sustainability Ensure close engagement between regions, destinations and businesses
► Skills
Supporting business growth
Relevant business support and advice
Focused on key elements of managing the business Skills and professionalism ► Retention and morale ► Management ► Quality and customer care ► Sustainability
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To ensure productivity, efficiency and profitability
Delivered in a joined up fashion and well communicated
Improving the quality of place and experience
Destination management plans
Investment in the product and product development Clear relationships between Regional Development Agencies, Delivery Partners, Local Authorities and businesses Removal of barriers Connected to LAA – Economic Development and Environment (to include tourism)
Sustainable tourism – sustainable visitor economy
Ensure sustainability is not an add on RDA focus on: ► Leadership ► Intelligence ► Managing the business ► Supporting business growth ► Improving the quality of place and experience Ensure that ‘policies’ are communicated and connected through the right structures