www.nitb.com Summary of Board Meeting of February 2004 Attendance Present Mr Tom McGrath (Chairman) Ms Andrea Hayes Mr Lyn Fawcett Mr John McGrillen Mr John Mooney In Attendance Mr Alan Clarke, Chief Executive Mr Jim Perry, Corporate Services Director Mr Philip Pentland, Business Development Director Ms Sue Ward, Marketing Director Mrs Jean Stratton, Corporate Services Division (part) Mr Bob McMillen, Corporate Services Division Mr Jim Daly, Corporate Services Division Apologies Mrs Irene Adair Mrs Mandy Martin Councillor Jim Speers Location: St. Anne‟s Court Last Board Meeting Minutes of Board Meeting held on Monday 1 December 2003 Special Meeting on Wednesday 28 January 2004 The Board was content to approve the minutes as accurate records of the above meetings. Matters Arising Ulster in Bloom – NITB is assessing options for future involvement with the competition, including organisation and sponsorship. Chief Executive’s Report The Board noted the content of the report. The following matters were highlighted: Tourism Figures - Estimates based on figures for 9 months of the year appear to indicate that the rate of growth is one of the highest in Europe. Strategic Framework – The Regional Tourism Partnership (RTP) concept was discussed with representatives of local authorities in Templepatrick on 19 February. The Board was provided with a list of key principles underpinning RTPs and a map detailing the suggested RTP areas, both of which had been circulated for discussion at the workshop. NITB feels strongly that a group of up to five RTPs is most appropriate. Giants Causeway – A presentation on the Causeway Masterplan was given later in the meeting. Two separate design competitions are being held – one for the visitor building itself and a second for the interpretative content.
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Action Programmes – Progress on the signature projects was outlined. The need to define a concrete project for Titanic Quarter and test its viability was underlined. A consultant has been engaged to look at the Christian Heritage product. Mournes National Park - It was suggested that NITB should write to Environment & Heritage Service to progress the issue. Organisational Arrangements – proposed new arrangements for NITB‟s organisational structure will be outlined to all NITB staff this week. EU Presidency – a conference for representatives of new EU member states is being held in Dublin. In addition there would be a dinner for delegates in Belfast and a Northern Ireland familiarisation trip including a visit to the St Patrick Visitor Centre. VisitBritain Website – the Board noted very complimentary remarks from VisitBritain regarding copy provided by NITB for its website and asked if this could be publicised in local media. Northern Ireland Tourism Awards – the closing date for entries is Friday 27 February. Sponsorship is still being sought for a number of award categories. Letters have gone out inviting the prospective judging panel to take part. The Board suggested that tendering should be beginning for the company to undertake next year‟s awards and that a comprehensive debrief should follow this year‟s event to assess what lessons have been learned. Papers for Consideration Operating Plan 2003 / 04 - The Board received a summary of progress on budgets up to the end of December 2003. Detailed discussions had taken place with managers to review progress on the Operating Plan against objectives. Operating Plan 2004 / 05 - The Special Board Meeting on 28 January had secured agreement on the main objectives. The next step involves setting out the milestones and determining what the measures will be. The Board received an estimate of the cost implications of delivering action programmes within the Strategic Framework, which would be significantly higher than the current NITB budget. It was noted that the Operating Plan for 2004 / 05 would tie in with the action programmes outlined in the Strategic Framework, focusing on NITB‟s contribution to delivering the overall strategy. The Board endorsed the Operating Plan for 2004 / 05, which would now be submitted for approval by the Minister. Causeway Coast & Glens Masterplan - A presentation was given to the Board on the proposals. There were noted to be three strands to the Giant‟s Causeway signature project the site itself; the development of the visitor facilities and interpretation; and the Masterplan for the wider area. The Masterplan includes 11 strategic recommendations, including the development of a themed route stretching from Carrickfergus to Greencastle, Co Donegal and taking in the Antrim Coast Road. A common image and brand would be developed for this trail together with dedicated signage, which will link in with the pan-NI signage strategy. The Board suggested that web addresses should be purchased now, in anticipation of this. The issue of direct public transport to the Causeway site was raised and the Board was advised that DETI is taking this issue forward through the Inter-Departmental Co-ordinating Group.
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Funding might be made available through the Integrated Development Fund and the intention would be to implement the Masterplan through the Regional Tourism Partnership, once established. NITB has produced a draft specification for a project manager and the core membership of the existing Steering Group may form part of the RTP membership. Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust Core Funding - This paper has been deferred until the next Board Meeting. Mourne Heritage Trust - The issue of the National Park was discussed and it was noted that the attitude of the farming community in the Mournes area towards the proposals is a big issue for its designation. The Board was content to approve funding for Mourne Heritage Trust for the period 1 April 2004 – 31 March 2005. North West Air Access Consortium - In September 2002 the Board approved funding for the North West Air Access Consortium to secure air access into the City of Derry airport. Funding was provided for the consortium up to June 2004. The update was provided following the European Union‟s recent ruling on the financial inducements for Charleroi airport. The Board asked if funding was expected to extend beyond this date and was advised that the situation had changed with the establishment of Air Route Development Northern Ireland, which is taking a „pan-NI‟ approach to air access. The Board asked if there had been any progress on new routes, given that a major announcement had been expected to tie in with the launch of summer schedules. Negotiations are still continuing, but some announcement is expected shortly; while there had been significant financial contributions from Invest NI, NITB and ARDNI, ultimately the final decision to establish new routes rests with the airlines themselves. Taste of Ulster - The Board received an update on progress to agree future arrangements for the funding of Taste of Ulster. The Board asked if NITB was now free of its obligations to the Taste of Ulster and was advised that NITB had been firm that no further financial commitment could be made. Tourism Performance Update - The Chairman suggested that more time should be allocated to this agenda item to allow discussion of the implications of figures. Portfolios of consumer PR activity were circulated, containing media articles focussing on destination and product. In relation to evaluation of the Autumn Campaign, the Board asked if there was any indication of how large the enquiries database is, and how the quality of information gathered is tested. A „data cleaning‟ process is undertaken at the end of each campaign, to consolidate information, check its validity and avoid the possibility of duplication of addresses. Board Committees and Organisational Issues Tourism Ireland Board Meeting - The Board noted the content of the report. Quarterly Complaints Report - The Board noted the content of the report. Human Resources Strategy - The Board received an outline of the proposed HR Strategy. Commitment to Excellence - The Board noted that NITB had received recognition of Commitment to Excellence, the first stage in the European Foundation for Quality Management‟s excellence model.
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Any Other Business Bohill Hotel - The Board discussed coverage of the closure of the Bohill Hotel and was advised that the situation had moved on, with the hotel having been purchased. Jet2 Belfast (Prague Route) - NITB has been approached by Jet2 about possible involvement in a “Northern Ireland Night” to inaugurate its new Belfast – Prague Service. Discussions were underway about this. The Board asked if marketing will be carried out in Prague and was advised that traffic is expected to be largely outbound, though there is the option of having a promotional stand in Prague airport. Jet2 is also looking at the possibility of establishing a second Belfast route. Meeting with Permanent Secretary - The Chairman advised that he had met recently with the Permanent Secretary, to discuss progress made by NITB in implementing new procedures and moving forward following the PAC report. Tourism Workshop - The Board was advised that invitations have been issued to the Tourism Workshop in Derry on 6 -7 May. The format has been changed, with Thursday 6 May becoming the networking night. Events on that evening include a tour of the City Walls, reception and dinner at DaVinci‟s Hotel. The showcase takes place on Friday 7 May and includes a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park. A pre-briefing will be held on 29 March, providing a Masterclass to assist the trade in deriving the greatest benefit from the Workshop. Meetings with US Tour Operators - The Marketing Director visited the USA recently to meet with ten of the largest tour operators. They report that the greatest demand is still for tours visiting the south and that the challenge is to persuade parties to extend their visits to Northern Ireland. There was a good response to the signature projects, but one gap identified in the product was the lack of a good four or five-star hotel on the north coast, capable of dealing with coach parties. With regard to golf, there was a need to showcase the “best of the rest” in addition to the two Royal courses. The Chairman mentioned correspondence he had received recently, suggesting that the NITB might wish to use celebrity endorsements as a way of raising Northern Ireland‟s profile for golf and other sectors. Tourism Conference - The Board was advised of an upcoming Clare Tourist Council conference in Antrim borough. Signposting in Omagh - The Industry Development Director had met with a guesthouse owner in Omagh to discuss the issue of directional signage. The problem was within sight of being resolved. Date of Next Meeting The next Board Meeting is due to take place on 23rd March in a Strangford / Co Down venue, to be confirmed.
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