A Year in the Life of

Introduction

The following represents a selection of activities carried out over the 12 month period to 1 January 2009. The list is not exhaustive, but gives a feel for the Association’s mode of operations.

Committee Representation on:

• British Tourism Development Committee
• Coastal Communities Alliance Steering Group
• DP-UK Management Group
• ENCAMS Quality Coast Award Advisory Group
• LGA Tourism Executive (Observer)
• NW Coastal Forum Management Group
• Partners for England Steering Group
• Shadow Tourism Taskforce
• Tourism Alliance (Board Member)
• Tourism Together Board (the strategic alliance of public sector tourism interests)
• United Kingdom Beach Management Forum (UKBMF)
• 2012 Games Ministerial Advisory Group

Representation at:

• British Hospitality Association AGM
• British Tourism Week launch events
• British Urban Regeneration Association Seaside Network Conferences
• Coastal Communities Alliance Meetings
• Confederation of Passenger Transport Coach Industry Seminar (speaker)
• Enjoy England Tourism Awards
• North West Regional Development Agency Tourism Conference
• North West Tourism Business Network Chairs Dinner
• Partners for England Destination Management Charter Group Meetings
• Partners for England Marketing Meeting (Chair)
• Partners for England Tourism Forum
• Party Conference Tourism Fringe Meetings
• RDA Coastal Towns Network Group Meetings
• Regional Development Agency Meetings
• Tourism Management Institute Conference
• Tourism Society Debates
• UK Inbound Conference (speaker)
• UK National Bathing Water Symposium

Consultation Inputs including:

• DCLG Select Committee Provision of Public Toilets Inquiry (oral and written evidence)
• DCMS Select Committee Licensing Act 2003 Inquiry (written evidence)
• DCMS Select Committee Tourism Inquiry - written and oral evidence sessions
• DCMS/VisitBritain 2012 Games Consultation
• Defra - Various inland and coastal water quality consultations
• EU Bathing Water Directive
• Formal and informal submissions to House of Commons Select Committees and to Parliamentary Interest Groups
• Gambling Commission - split premises consultation
• Representation to MPs on funding for Local Authorities
• VisitBritain British Tourism Review

Lobbying Activities including:

• Meeting with Chris Ruane MP re Coastal Unemployment Issues
• Meetings with Parliamentary Under Secretary for Tourism
• Routine contacts with President and Vice Presidents on all ‘issues’, consultations, etc.
• Routine contacts with DCMS, National Assembly for Wales, National Tourist Boards and English Regional Tourism Organisations
• Continuation of both Coastal Town and Local Authority Tourism Role Campaigns
• Written representation concerning EU and UK funding mechanisms, gaming and licensing law and the tourism impacts of changing support structure for tourism in England

A Selection of Other Issues Addressed:

• Benchmarking and Best Value for resort theatres
• National & Local Area Tourism Statistics
• Retention of UK Beach Awards
• The Importance of the Car in the Domestic Market

Marketing/PR including:

• Promotion of www.britishresorts.co.uk
• IPC/BRADA Joint Marketing Project (10 resorts) January 2008
• Mirror Group Newspapers (15 resorts) January 2008
• Paul Raybould Marketing Online Campaigns May-October 2008
• Numerous Radio/TV appearances and interviews promoting UK domestic market and regeneration issues.
• Trade and press facing hard copy British Resorts & Destinations 2008 and a public facing web site www.britishresorts.co.uk
• Various promotional activities featuring member authorities

Events:

• Annual Conference - Southport 2008 (Torbay 2009)
• Entertainment & Events Seminar – Southport 2008 (TBC 2009)
• National Search for a Star Margate 2008 - 9 resort competitions throughout the summer, culminating in a major national final

PR Contacts

Numerous positive inputs into National Media, now established with all National Press, some Regional/Local Press and a wide selection of Television and Radio companies as the source for coastal and general domestic tourism comment and/or contacts.

Public Private Sector

Increasing contacts with public sector organisations directly/indirectly linked with tourism and/or economical development. Recent contacts include Artavia Advertising, Carrier Direct, Global Tourism Solutions (UK) Ltd., IPC Media Ltd., Mail on Sunday, Mirror Group Newspapers, Paul Raybould Marketing Limited, Resort Marketing Ltd. and Wall’s. Also developing much closer links with private sector associations including BALPPA, BACTA, BHA, CPT, Coach Tourism Council and the National Caravan Council. The use of accommodation at the Union Jack Club, London, is available to individual representatives of member organisations. A range of discounts, including travel insurance, are also offered.

Membership

Membership as at 1 January 2009 stands at 58 Local Authorities, 5 Tourist Boards and 10 Commercial members.