Issue - meetings

Tourism Strategy

Meeting: 08/03/2023 - Cabinet (Item 145)

This report brings forward for adoption the first ‘whole place’ Tourism Strategy for the BCP region. Developed in collaboration with the Destination Management Board it sets out a clear set of priority actions and outcomes for the development of the tourism offer over the next 5 years.

The Tourism Strategy responds to significant changes across the visitor economy in recent years, accelerated by the impacts of Brexit, the Pandemic and the challenges around cost of living and inflation.

The strategy sets out a new approach to delivery by the tourism industry and enabled by the Council. It establishes a strong vision and actions to deliver long term growth in a core industry with an international award-winning reputation and demonstrates the Council’s ongoing commitment to tourism. Finally, the strategy directly links with the Culture Strategy developed by the Cultural Compact with a number of cross-cutting actions. Both strategies are being brought forward for adoption by Cabinet at the same time.

Additional documents:

Appendix 1 for Tourism Strategy, item 145 PDF 3 MB

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a) approve the adoption of the Tourism Strategy; and

(b) Delegate to relevant Director for the Destination Service the further collaboration, development and implementation of a detailed delivery plan with the Destination Management Board

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places

Reasons

Supporting the Big Plan:

Supporting investment in Iconic Cityscape:

Bournemouth International Centre reinvestment;

Bournemouth Arc

Investment in the Seafront programme
Poole centre rejuvenation
Infrastructure: Transforming Travel & Smart Places programmes

Bournemouth Airport

Supporting the Corporate Strategy:

by working toward a Sustainable Environment: Ensure sustainability underpins all of our policies; Protect and enhance our outstanding environment;

Support developing an eco-friendly and active transport network; Maximise access to our high-quality parks and open spaces

Working toward a Dynamic Place: Revitalise and reinvent our high streets and local centres; Create a sustainable, vibrant and inclusive economy; Increase productivity through skills development; supporting development sustainable infrastructure; supporting creation of a 21st century digital infrastructure
Working toward Connected Communities: strengthen the cultural identity of our towns and places;
Working toward Brighter Futures: Enable access to high quality education

Supporting transformation of the tourism sector by reframing the Council’s role and support for Tourism, acting increasingly as an enabler rather than a deliverer of services, and develop a more commercial approach to activities undertaken directly by the Council.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'Q' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the report brought forward for adoption the first ‘whole place’ Tourism Strategy for the BCP region. Developed in collaboration with the Destination Management Board it sets out a clear set of priority actions and outcomes for the development of the tourism offer over the next 5 years.

Cabinet was informed that the Tourism Strategy responds to significant changes across the visitor economy in recent years, accelerated by the impacts of Brexit, the Pandemic and the challenges around cost of living and inflation.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the strategy sets out a new approach to delivery by the tourism industry and enabled by the Council, and that it establishes a strong vision and actions to deliver long term growth in a core industry with an international award-winning reputation and demonstrates the Council’s ongoing commitment to tourism. Further to this Cabinet was advised that the strategy directly links with the Culture Strategy developed by the Cultural Compact with a number of cross-cutting actions, and that both strategies are being brought forward for adoption by Cabinet at the same time.