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

Appendix 3Dales Tourism - Steering GroupProcess for developing <strong>the</strong> 2013 to 2018 Strategy and Action PlanThe purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Strategy and Action PlanAn important part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European Charter is producing an agreed strategy and actionplan, that helps move <strong>the</strong> partnership forward. Whilst a strategy is defined loosely as:Any form <strong>of</strong> tourism development, management or activity which ensures <strong>the</strong> longtermprotection and preservation <strong>of</strong> natural, cultural and social resources andcontributes in a positive and equitable manner to <strong>the</strong> economic development andwell-being <strong>of</strong> individuals living, working, or staying in protected areasHowever, <strong>the</strong> Europarc Federation are prescriptive about what it should contain andconsider.What <strong>the</strong> Strategy has to considerThe guidance from <strong>the</strong> Europarc Federation is that <strong>the</strong> strategy should be based on carefulconsultation and be approved and understood by local stakeholders. It should contain:• a definition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area to be influenced by <strong>the</strong> strategy, which may extend outside <strong>the</strong>protected area;• an assessment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area’s natural, historic and cultural heritage, tourisminfrastructure, and economic and social circumstances; considering issues <strong>of</strong> capacity,need and potential opportunity;• an assessment <strong>of</strong> current visitors and potential future markets;• a set <strong>of</strong> strategic objectives for <strong>the</strong> development and management <strong>of</strong> tourism, covering:- conservation and enhancement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> environment and heritage,- economic and social development,- preservation and improvement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> life <strong>of</strong> local residents,- visitor management and enhancement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> tourism <strong>of</strong>fered;• an action plan to meet <strong>the</strong>se objectives;• an indication <strong>of</strong> resources and partners to implement <strong>the</strong> strategy;• proposals for monitoring results.What it should look like• It should have regard to existing objectives and actions, ra<strong>the</strong>r than ‘starting fromscratch’.• It should be a brief document that is laid out clearly.• It should be written in plain English.• It will be written with key partners as <strong>the</strong> main audience.7