Minutes:
Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, attended the meeting and gave an overview of the work which has taken place since January, 2005 in terms of the cross-cutting features of cultural planning and transport network.
Members were provided with a full copy of the Tourism Plan 2005/08 and summary of the Plan which had recently been produced in line with National, Regional, Sub-Regional and local priorities and corporate themes.
The verbal report referred to the following aspects of the work:-
- Performance Indicators
- Objectives
- Facts about Rotherham
- Economic Development Study
- Importance of Quality Standards
- Image, Perception and Promotion of Rotherham
- Marketing Plan – Group Travel/Group Operators
- Group Travel Guide – Travel and Leisure Packs
- New Research/Marketing Business Study/Visitor Centre Survey
- Visitors’ Centre – 680,000 visitors a year
- Sales – increase in sales of local produce
- Walking Festival
- Wheel chair user group and a volunteer walk leader – to develop accessible walks with different interest
- Exhibitions – TattonPark and NEC Outdoor Show
- Oversees work
- Conferences
- South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership for Tourism
- Occupancy Figures
The Chair made reference to a number of tourism initiatives during the past year – including the success of the Continental Craft Market, Sealed Knot event at Rother Valley CountryPark and the refurbishment of Clifton ParkMuseum.
Members of the Consortium drew attention to the following features which it was felt should be more widely advertised:-
- Laughton/Aughton Churches – some of the oldest churches in Rotherham
This was included in the Churches Tourism Initiative. Information in the Tourism Plan had had to be condensed. Further information on churches was held in the Visitor Centre, together with an accommodation guide and people were given advice on such aspects upon request.
- Could local guide books be sold at the Visitors’ Centre?
RMBC tried not to compete with local book shops. A number of local books were sold in the Visitors’ Centre and others were bought upon recommendation and if considered to be of local interest to residents and visitors.
A point was made that there is a wealth of history in Rotherham villages. It was felt important to transfer information stored on videos onto DVD’s to protect them for future generations.
Other interesting events were referred to, which included:-
- Tournament Weekend
- Opera Performance
- Walking Festival
- Opening up of MemorialGardens
One member congratulated RMBC for the excellent Visitors’ Centre which attracted people from all over the world.
Other comments included:-
- a list of 100 things to see and do in Rotherham should be made available in the Visitors’ Centre
- umbrellas and coloured awnings should be provided for town centre shops during the Summer
- quality of town centre food
- the benefits to the town of visitors to the Borough recommending events to other people, particularly on the walking festival which had been enjoyed by 1,500 participants
Agreed:- That Joanne Edley be thanked for her attendance.