Decision details

Arising from a * report of the Economic Development & Regeneration Manager, regarding  the draft Destination Management Plan  for consultation, the Economy Policy Development Group had recommended that the draft Destination Management Plan be approved for consultation bearing in mind the comments and concerns of the Policy Development Group with regard to the small sample of people interviewed, the number of locations where this had taken place and the need for caution when considering the conclusions in the survey.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that there was a need to provide a strategic direction for the development of the tourism sector within Mid Devon.  In order for Mid Devon to be a competitive destination tourist area there was a need to understand who currently visited the area and why; therefore a survey had taken place.  He outlined the number of interviews that had taken place, the locations used and the findings of the survey

Consideration was given to:

·         19% of those interviewed were local residents

·         The size of the document and the need for it to be more succinct

·         The ageing visitor profile, which Members felt was a strength not a weakness

·         The profile of population in Mid Devon

·         Good clean facilities

·         An audit of signage that was taking place

·         Visitor leaflets, signage and marketing and work that could take place with the Parish Councils

RESOLVED  that

a) The findings of the tourism research be noted;

b) Officers be asked to secure a revised dataset based solely on visitors to Mid Devon and to analyse this data prior to finalising the draft Destination Management Plan ;

c)  Approval for consultation on the draft Destination Management Plan be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr C R Slade )

Note: - *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.