Performance through
Partnership
Tourism South East continues to play an important role in bringing partners together in the region
and leading in key strategic areas. It chaired the South East Partnership’s Visitor Economy Sub Group
supporting the region’s preparations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Active lobbying also
continued at national level on issues that affect members at a practical level. Corporate press activity
succeeded in achieving over £750,000 in advertising value equivalent reaching an audience in excess of
27 million.
representations were made to local, regional and national agencies
Making the most of 2012
on a wide range of policy documents including the South East Plan,
after the launch of the On Your Marks…Get Set…Go! Strategy for 2012,
SEEda’s Business Support Strategy and more than eight Local
the staging of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games provided a
authority plans. Encouraging Local authorities to take more account
great opportunity to begin the implementation of the strategic actions.
of tourism led to the preparation of guidance on tourism policies
for Local development Frameworks and Local area agreements.
The profile that Beijing gave to London 2012, presented a number
Planning policy as applied to bed and breakfast establishments was
of openings through which Tourism South East could develop
also investigated and led to new guidance.
its links in china. notably, the presence of a team of South East
representatives at the chinese Travel Trade and Media event at The
Tourism South East continued to work closely with the Tourism
ambassador’s residence in Beijing during the Games enabled a firm
alliance in lobbying Government on national issues. Opportunities
foothold to be established in one the key emerging markets and
were taken throughout the year to raise these issues direct with senior also to promote Training camps in the South East to the respective
department of culture Media & Sport officials and politicians in all
national Olympic committees.
three main parties.
Several of the ‘corridor’ areas identified in the Strategy made
Work began on the refreshment of the regional Tourism strategy
substantial progress in their preparation for 2012.
which will set out a vision for tourism over the next five years.
Eton Dorney, itself a venue for rowing and flat-water canoeing,
commercial Membership
established eight sector groups to cover a range of relevant topics. In
In response to the economic climate, members were offered an early
particular, it became a focus for the hosting the World customer care
bird rate for 2009 renewals. despite this, membership saw a 6%
programme, staging the official launch on 27 november 2008 and also
increase in average member subscription value.
undertook some significant research on the expected economic impact
of hosting the Olympic rowing events at dorney Lakes. Windsor and
Two regional member events took place – ‘The Main Event’, aGM,
Maidenhead also became one of the first 2012 areas to undertake a
Tourism council and Members conference in September 2008 and
destination access audit.
‘Winning in recession’, Tourism council and Members conference in
March 2009, both of which generated over 90% of respondents rating
The
Kent 2012 consortium started work on a Kent and Medway
the events as very good or excellent. Podcasts were created and
tourism development strategy and action plan to identify the
featured on the members’ website and high levels of media coverage
accommodation, attraction and experience needs of the county
were achieved.
for 2012 and beyond, with a focus on quality, accessibility and
sustainability. It also majored on customer care with the successful
Sub-region member events took place in most areas and informal
pilot of the Kent Greeters and the development of the celebrating Kent
networking events were also introduced during 2008/09, which were
programme. There was also some early reconnaissance for 2012 from
well received.
overseas press representatives.
corporate communications
In the
Gatwick area the launch of the West Sussex ‘ahead of the
activity included the production of two editions of Tourism news and
Game’ Strategy provided broad guidance for the tourism sector.
a number of e-newsletters throughout the year. 2008 also saw the
The Sussex Tourism Partnership held a stakeholders workshop and
introduction of a number of sub-regional newsletters which again
subsequently produced a series of recommendations on key activities.
have been well received by members.
The Partnership then approved £50,000 seed funding for its 2012 Plan,
covering marketing and web development, training, MIcE initiatives
Press releases covering a variety of topical subjects were despatched
and supporting the cultural Olympiad.
during the year. This activity has helped to showcase the diversity of
services offered by Tourism South East and continued to develop and
The appointment of a full time Olympics Manager by Buckingham
strengthen our reputation publicly. Tourism South East has appeared
county council enabled the development of consortia plans for the
in national and regional media including radio and TV broadcasts.
Heathrow area and a high profile launch, involving Lord coe,
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