Current position - the future of tourism in the region

As you know, I have committed to keep you, the tourism industry of the South West, up to date on changes and developments with tourism structures across the region. You will also be aware that we, at South West Tourism, are not immune to any changes, and April 2011 South West Tourism will cease to exist. 

We recognise that tourism is critical to the economy of the South West, and recent forecasts suggest that tourism will assist the South West in returning to pre-recession employment levels a decade before Wales and the West Midlands.  It is imperative therefore, that this vital industry and sector remains high on the agenda and is properly focused and supported. 

We have been meeting with key industry groups and partners over the last few weeks to discuss the future of tourism in the region and how the industry, working in partnership, can maximise the potential of the visitor economy, both in the transition and into the future.

We have broad support for the principle of working in partnership and ensuring ongoing engagement across industry and sector groups, destinations and key stakeholders, regardless of geographic boundaries. Our discussions and debates to date have underpinned our first thoughts and built on them.
 
First, and overwhelmingly, it is absolutely clear that the tourism industry of the South West will thrive with support and direction from a partnership approach focusing on key functions.

Second, the critical functions should include voice of industry and collective memory; data and intelligence, partnership development and co-ordination; and business improvement, particularly specialist expertise around training, sustainability and grant/funding sourcing.

Whilst I am still chair of South West Tourism and still have resource to support our collective aims and endeavours, I will continue to provide the focus to move this agenda forward, but now is the time for us to come together to scope the future and the next steps - the partnership needs to form and needs to take action. 

I have detailed those groups who we have or will be engaging with - and by the end of October we will have started to scope a proposal for the creation of the partnership.  If you feel a key stakeholder group is missing, or if you have any views, comments or concerns, please do contact us, via Maureen McAllister, Director of Tourism.  mmcallister@swtourism.org.uk

Alistair Handyside
Chair, South West Tourism

Partners engaged to date*: 

Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Bristol
DMO for Bournemouth
DMO for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
DMO for Devon
DMO for Dorset DMO for Poole
DMO for Somerset
DMO for Wiltshire
DMO for Bath
DMO for the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean
DMO Forum  
Exeter Airport
Devon Association of Tourist Attractions
South West Tourism Industry Advisory Group
Federation of Small Businesses
South West Chambers
Devon and Cornwall Business Council
Taste of the West
British Homes and Holiday Parks Association
British Hospitality Association (South West)
Duncan Hames MP
ss Great Britain
Alison Seabeck MP
South West Water
Eden Project
Sustainability South West
National Marine Aquarium
Farm Stay UK
Andrew George MP
Exeter Chamber of Commerce
South West Chambers

Partners to be engaged by end of October*:
CLA
BASC
CAHHA
Somerset Tourist Association
South West Culture Executive Board
South West Food and Drink                                                                                                              
Bed and Breakfast Association                                                                                                
Devon FSB

*If you feel we have missed any key partner or stakeholder, please do let us know.

Date added: Thursday 2nd September 2010
Latest updated: Thursday 8th March 2012