REPORT FROM THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ISLAND ECONOMY, THE CUSTOMER,
COMMUNICATIONS, TOURISM & LEISURE
TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL
ON 21st JUNE 2006
Tourism Statistics and General Feedback for Quarter 1 2006
The tourism feedback for the period January 1st - Pre Easter is taken from:-
·
Ferry Survey of Visitors
·
Occupancy Survey of Accommodation Operators
·
Tourism South East Business Confidence Survey
Ferry Survey Summary
Short breaks market (lasting 1-4 nights) 2% up on last year, 20% up on 2004.
Longer stay leisure visits/holidays (5+ nights) represent a small market at this time of year but did increase quite dramatically. These more than trebled over 2005 were also double the number seen in 2003 and 2004.
The value of tourism this quarter is estimated to be £36 million which is an increase of 5% on last year (excluding the effect of inflation).
30% of holiday staying visitors were either on their first trip or had not visited in the last 5 years
Day trips fell by 7% but mainly due to fall in business trips - leisure day trips were slightly up
Visits to attractions increased by 2% compared with 2005 and by 9% compared with 2004
Occupancy Survey Summary
Serviced Accommodation - Average Bedspace
Occupancy increased by 4% points over 2005 to a four year high
Occupancy in cottages, flats and houses was up 1% point on last year but up 4
points on 2004
(Not sufficient establishments open in Holiday Parks/Camping Touring sector to
produce valid results for that sector)
TSE Business Confidence Survey
44% of Isle of Wight Tourism Businesses reported that business was up whilst a further 33% reported it was about the same.
At 77% this was the highest in the region.
The 44% reporting better overall performance is 10% more than in the same period in 2005
With regard to expectations for 2006, 43% think that business should be up and 37% about the same.
2. ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
A review has been completed of IWEP and demonstrates that achievements to date have been very satisfactory. We will be building on our successful relationship with the Economic Partnership and are in discussions with them regarding the formation of a Local Delivery Vehicle and the Economic Strategy for the Island for the next five years, which will be produced, following consultation with partners, in July.
3. CUSTOMER RELATIONS
The commitment to delivering better services to customers will be delivered by identifying and working with a Strategic Transformational Partner. I am expecting a proposal from PA Consulting on the 22nd of June which, when approved, will be the mechanism for specifying the service we wish to procure from the Strategic Partner and for undertaking the procurement process.
4. COMMUNICATIONS
I have undertaken initial work with Westminster City Council communications team, who will be working with the existing in house team, to deliver much more effective communications, internally and externally. The first step is to agree short and medium term objectives which this new partnership will deliver.
TIM HUNTER-HENDERSON