PAPER B
Purpose : For Noting
Committee: TOURISM PARTNERSHIP
Date: 5 DECEMBER 2002
Title: ISLE OF WIGHT TOURISM UPDATE
REPORT OF THE HONARARY SECRETARY
SUMMARY/PURPOSE
To summarise current activity of
Isle of Wight Tourism.
BACKGROUND
1.
GENERAL
EXTERNALISATION
Tourism
Partnership Sub-Committee consisting of 3 IWC/3 ITIA representatives has been
set up to discuss externalisation of IW Tourism. The main purpose of the group will be to determine the range and
scope of services to be externalised and the organisational details. First meeting held 13 November and it is
expected that a decision will be made on the best way forward by February 2003.
FULL
MEMBERS MEETING
Full
members meeting held 20th November at Westridge. Presentations by Dave Groocock, John
Metcalfe and Hal Matthews followed by a question and answer session to panel
consisting of Shirley Smart, Peggy Jarman, Dave Groocock, Simon Dabell, Hal
Matthews, and John Metcalfe
TOURIST
INDUSTRY AWARDS
First
annual industry awards dinner was held 23rd November at the Royal Hotel,
Ventnor. Tim Addison was awarded the 2002 Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
Award and awards were presented to other categories including Hotel, Guest
Accommodation, Self-Catering, Attractions, Caravan & Camping, Activity
& Leisure and Eating Out.
IT
PROCUREMENT
Assessments
on different DMS systems has now taken place and IT Department completing
procurement. It is hoped that a
decision will be made shortly in order that the preferred system will be in
place by Easter 2003.
SANDOWN
BAY REGENERATION
The
Southern Tourist Board and Sandown and Shanklin Partnerships have agreed to
fund 50% of the Design Brief Consultancy, subject to IW Council match
funding. Meetings being held last
Wednesday of every month.
2. MARKETING
IMAGE
CAMPAIGN
2003
marketing and advertising campaign discussed and to be confirmed at meeting on
5th December.
WORLD
TRAVEL MARKET
Attended
by IW Tourism team and partners 11th to 14th November at
London ExceL..
EVENTS
IW Tourism
assisting Wight Leisure with PR for Walking Festival this year. Also, discussions taking place on the role
IW Tourism should play in promotion and marketing of other strategic events
such as IW Music Festival.
3. PRODUCTION
2003
ACCOMMODATION GUIDE
First 10K
delivered in time for World Travel Market.
2003
ATTRACTIONS GUIDE
Available
in time for World Travel Market.
WINTER
POCKET GUIDE
Now
delivered. Binding problem has been
identified and will be remedied.
RETAIL
POCKET MAP
On
schedule for delivery in January.
SUMMER
POCKET GUIDE 2003
On
sale. Tenders to go out soon.
INTERNET
IW Council
ICT Department has been appointed to develop a new web site for IW Tourism.
4. PRESS
& PR
WORLD
TRAVEL MARKET
Alix McKee
attended WTM with new-style press packs for distribution including latest press
releases and organised PR opportunities on the Isle of Wight stand including
the VAQAS Award for Dinosaur Isle, interviews and launch of new guides. Entertainment on the main stage at Excel included
the winner of this year’s Ventnor Jazz Divas Festival.
LONDON
BOAT SHOW
Preparations
in hand to maximise PR opportunities for boat show.
WHITEAIR
IW Tourism
organised Press & PR for the event again this year. Follow-up meetings held with the organisers
and Wight Leisure to discuss next year’s event.
GASTROENTERITIS
SEMINAR
Isle of
Wight Tourism attended this seminar on 31st October behalf of
membership. It is hoped to invite the
speaker to address a future ITIA Executive meeting.
ISLAND
GAMES
Isle of
Wight Tourism attending meetings and will work with committee in providing
accommodation and assistance with marketing and PR should the bid be successful
in 2007.
REGIONAL
ENGLAND IN EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2003
IW Tourism
attended awards ceremony on 6th November at Exbury Gardens where the
Island received 3 nominations (IW Steam Railway, Southland Camping Park and
Newnham Farm B&B) and will go forward to compete in national awards
ceremony on 23rd April 2003 in London.
5. CALL
CENTRE & DISTRIBUTION
2003
ACCOMMODATION GUIDES
Early
editions received in time for World Travel Market and voucher copies have been
sent to advertisers. Distribution to
individual enquirers will commence early December.
GUIDE
MAILERS
Distribution
of a small percentage of mailers will commence late November.
TOURIST INFORMATION
CENTRES -
VENTNOR –
from 01 November operating from Coastal Visitor Centre in Salisbury Gardens.
STAFFING –
two new senior assistants commenced on 01 November in Cowes and Sandown.
STB –
Island TICs assessed to ensure they conform to network standards.
CHRISTMAS
STAFFING
This year
for the first time, Westridge will remain closed between Christmas and New Year
and staff will operate from the Tourist Information Centres to enable them to
open for business. Rotas as follows:
Cowes Saturday 28 December 2002
Newport Friday 27 – Tuesday 31 December
(inclusive)
Ryde Saturday
28 – Tuesday 31 December (inclusive)
Sandown Monday 30 December
Yarmouth Saturday
28 & Sunday 29 December
|
RECOMMENDATION To
note the Report |
John Metcalfe, Head of Community Development and Tourism TEL
01983 823285
21 November 2002
D
PETTITT
Honorary Secretary