February 2012 - Item 2 - Minutes of the meeting on 5 October 2011

Facilitation notes for agenda item 5Appendix 2Developing a vision for <strong>the</strong> partnership and tourism in <strong>the</strong> Dales:What do we need to do? Where are <strong>the</strong> opportunities?• Focus on partnership working• What connections can/should we make?• Where are <strong>the</strong> gaps that we can fill?• Need to be sure what o<strong>the</strong>r activities and initiatives are already happening so we avoidduplication, <strong>the</strong>refore need an audit <strong>of</strong> activities across <strong>the</strong> YD & Nidderdale area.SB note: many comments outside this <strong>meeting</strong> from local authorities and tourism industry about<strong>the</strong> proliferation <strong>of</strong> organisations and initiatives but I’ve investigated many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m and although<strong>the</strong>re is willingness to collaborate, few are actually doing anything!• Need to be aware <strong>of</strong> what tourism will look like in 10 years’ time – so we can future pro<strong>of</strong>our activitiesSB note: no one else is really doing this but it is essential. I spend a lot <strong>of</strong> time looking at trendsand changes to consumer behaviour, ready to develop appropriate tourism experiences. Would behappy to run a workshop on this topic (no charge!) for <strong>the</strong> Steering Group and any o<strong>the</strong>r interestedparties.• Consider o<strong>the</strong>r projects and how <strong>the</strong>y are succeeding e.g. Watershed Landscape projectrun by Pennine Prospects (<strong>the</strong>y are a Tourism Network client – ask Susan for more details).• We need to identify and promote best practise in sustainable tourism. NB: Catriona hasdeveloped a section <strong>of</strong> Yorkshire.com/industry to <strong>of</strong>fer advice on sustainable tourism andMark Allum is ga<strong>the</strong>ring examples <strong>of</strong> best practise for <strong>the</strong> Yorkshiredales.org website.Susan is feeding in examples as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Distinctly Dales project.• One important gap that needs to be filled = product development. No o<strong>the</strong>r organisation isreally tackling this. YDNPA, Nidderdale AONB & this group could facilitate sustainableproduct development, supporting and enabling <strong>the</strong> private sector to create experiences andproducts that are sustainable, in line with local policies and deliver economic benefits to <strong>the</strong>local economy.• When we come to write <strong>the</strong> strategy, instead <strong>of</strong> simply writing <strong>the</strong> strategy we do need toidentify current gaps, market needs and where <strong>the</strong>re is real potential.• Aim to work with, understand and encourage around 80 tourism businesses to adoptsustainable tourism measures.• Look at investment in <strong>the</strong> infrastructure, ensuring that <strong>the</strong> journey becomes part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>experience, equally valued and considered• Visitors are already coming to <strong>the</strong> area and some businesses benefit economically. Thereare some projects in <strong>the</strong> area to develop <strong>the</strong> destination and some initiatives looking atproduct development but <strong>the</strong>re is a gap. One important function for this group could be toidentify future trends and what visitors are likely to want in <strong>the</strong> future, to stimulate and5