Kevin Williamsons Questions

Question 1

Is DCMS strategy right? If not, what are we missing?

Tourism should have a much higher profile within Government.

Working with a piece of legislation enacted in 1969 to govern the industry, even allowing for updates, in the 21st century, is not really where we need to be.

Question 2

What is happening to tourism resources at local level? What are the prospects?

In Yorkshire as in all other regions now the funding of Tourism at Government level is via RDA's. It was therefore seen by some in Local Authorities as a way of reducing the amount of funding they were obliged to commit. The RDA in this region however immediately countered this idea by saying 'if Local Authorities saw fit to reduce funding in local Tourism then the RDA may take the same line and not make any real commitment itself.' Other regions, I know of one on the south coast, have reduced spending 'as the RDA has taken over the funding for that' and are now making officers redundant having set their budgets without funding for tourism at the local level.

Because Tourism promotion/support by Local Authorities is not mandatory it will always be under pressure and a target for money saving bureaucrats.

Question 3

How is the performance improvement and learning about the visitor economy taking place across local authorities?

I suspect those in recognised tourism destinations will always give this issue support and credence others will not have the manpower to interpret information and will 'follow' rather than try and lead.

Question 4

Does more need to be done to improve the coherence and efficiency of tourism bodies at national, regional and local level.

Yes

Question 5

What challenges and opportunities arise from hot topics of the day e.g. Lyons Review and licensing reform.

I am not sure how government re-location (Lyons Review) unless a local Authority is planning FAM visits for relocating civil servants, can have much impact on Tourism or am I missing something here?

Licensing reform could prove a benefit but it will not be immediate and there are many issues that need to be resolved with this new legislation prior to any real benefit being realised.

Well that's it from me, what are your thoughts?