MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOURISM PARTNERSHIP HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON 9 DECEMBER 2003 COMMENCING AT 2.15 PM

 

Present :

                        Isle of Wight Council

 

Mrs M Jarman (Chairman), Mr K Pearson, Mr H Rees, Mr D G Williams

 

Island Tourist Industry Association (ITIA)

 

Ms J Saville, Mr S Stritton, Mr C Thie

 

Also in Attendance

 

Mrs B E Herbert – Legal and Democratic Services, Mr J Metcalfe – Education and Community Development, Mr H Matthews – IW Tourism

 

Apologies :   

                        Mr R Collier - Tourism South East

                        Mr S Dabell - ITIA

                        Ms O Glass – ITIA

                        Mr D Groocock – ITIA

                        Cllr Miss H Humby – Isle of Wight Council

                        Mr D Pettit – Honorary Secretary

                        Cllr Mrs S Smart – Isle of Wight Council

                        Mr R Teasdale – ITIA

 

           


 

1.                  MINUTES

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 August 2003 be confirmed.

 

2.                  MEMBERSHIP

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT it be noted that Cllr D Williams had replaced Cllr A Mellor on the Tourism Partnership.

 

3.                  ISLE OF WIGHT TOURISM ACTIVITY MONITOR

 

The Directors received a presentation on the IW tourist industry for the year-end of the tourism year 2002/03 and provided comparisons with the three previous years.  The estimated performance figures had been produced by an independent third party from information collected from over 20,000 interviews, conducted throughout the year.  Details included the estimated visitor numbers and visitor type, accommodation occupancy and statistics available for visits to attractions, Tourist Information Centres and the Hotline.  The activity monitor indicated that tourism on the Island showed a steady improvement on previous years, highlighted the importance of the short stay visitor and that the growth of on-line booking was an important issue for the market place.

 

RESOLVED :

 

                        THAT the report be noted.

 

4.                  ISLE OF WIGHT TOURISM UPDATE

 

The Directors received the report of the Honorary Secretary summarising the activities of Isle of Wight Tourism, since the last meeting of the Partnership.  In particular, mention was made of the entirely new UK initiative on the assessment of the quality of Eating Out establishments.  61 assessments had been completed, to date, and early indications showed very positive feedback. A new Marketing campaign for 2004 included proposals for a press, poster and London Tube campaign to run from post Easter and examples were provided for Directors information. The campaign utilised the wide range of activities on the Island, as evidenced by the network of brown signs seen locally.  Details of some very effective press coverage of the Isle of Wight, in the national press, were reported.  Following an effective trading performance, in the TIC network, further investment in the Centres was enabled, both externally and internally.  Sandown TIC would now close on 13 December to enable a refit to be undertaken.  The TIC would re-open in the New Year.

 

In discussion, it was reported that the ‘Islandbreaks’ website upgrade was still on target to be launched in December.  Due to hardware and technical difficulties the DMS system would not go live until Easter.  Concern was raised as to the high sale of static caravans and holiday chalets and the effect this could have on the provision of holiday accommodation.

 

The Council’s portfolio holder for Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional Issues provided an update on regional issues, in so far as they affected tourism on the Island.  In 2005, economic regeneration would become part of the performance assessment of the Council.

 

RESOLVED :

 

            THAT the report be noted.

 

5.                  RECRUITMENT OF HEAD OF TOURISM

 

The Council’s head of Community Development provided an update on the appointment of a head of Tourism Services.  The position had been advertised and final interviews were scheduled to take place on 26 and 27 January.  As part of the interview process, it was planned to invite four members of ITEA to take part at the Group interview stage (26 January).   The successful candidate would be expected to work within the framework of the Tourism Development Plan, subject to financial constraints.

 

RESOLVED :

 

            THAT the report be noted.

 

6.                  DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT it be agreed that meetings of the Tourism Partnership for 2004 be held on :

 

Thursday, 1 March 2004

Thursday, 17 June 2004

Tuesday, 24 August 2004

Thursday, 9 December 2004 (and AGM)

 

PART B

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN