PAPER D

Purpose : For Decision

Committee : TOURISM PARTNERSHIP

Date : 20 JUNE 2002

Title : ADVERTISING IN TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES

REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE TOURISM PARTNERSHIP

BACKGROUND

The Council currently operates a policy which does not permit the display of literature in TIC=s where the advertiser is not a member of the Island Tourist Industry Association.

CONTENT

1. With regard to the above further representation has been received from Mr David Shirley, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Visitor Attractions Association, which requests that the above policy be changed and that legitimate non members of ITIA be allowed to use the services provided in TIC=s (a copy of the letter is attached).

2. I wrote to Mr Shirley on the 7^th May 2002, and advised that I would arrange to place the issue on the agenda for the next Tourism Partnership meeting. Further to my letter of the 7^th May, the Isle of Wight Visitor Attractions Association has written to advise that its Committee has decided that severally as individual attractions, to ask the Local Authority Ombudsman to investigate the matter.

3. I have spoken with the Council=s Legal Services Manager, and his advice is that Athe Council owns the TIC=s and has the right to decide who if anyone should be allowed to advertise in them, and that this is a lawful position for the Council to take@.

OPTIONS

1. To maintain the current policy for advertising in TIC=s.

2. To adopt a different policy.

RECOMMENDATIONS

For consideration.

Contact Point : Gareth Hughes, tel 823604

JOHN PULSFORD

Treasurer of the Tourism Partnership