Managing Director’s Review
In my final year as Managing Dir
In my final y
ect
ear as Managing Dir
or at T
ect
ourism South Eas
or at T
t, it was v
ourism South Eas
ery
t, it was v
pleasing t
pl
o see the SEED
easing t
A r
o see the SEED
e
A r vie
e
w of the las
vie
t fiv
w of the las
e y
t fiv
ear
e y
s r
ear eporting that T
s r
ourism
eporting that T
South East had achie
South Eas
v
t had achie ed signific
v
ant pr
ed signific
ogr
ant pr
es
ogr s in that time and is s
es
till w
s in that time and is s
ell
till w
respect
r
ed amongs
espect
t busines
ed amongs
ses and s
t busines
t
ses and s akeholder
ak
s. This will no doubt s
eholder
t
s. This will no doubt s and
it in good st
it in good s ead in t
t
ackling the chall
ead in t
enges ahead, not l
ackling the chall
eas
enges ahead, not l
t the onset of the
eas
economic r
ec
ec
onomic r es
ec sion, which bec
es
ame a major focus f
ame a major f
or T
ocus f
ourism South Eas
or T
t’
ourism South Eas s
t’
activity in 2008/09.
One of the great strengths of Tourism South East is its ability to
The digital age has also seen the organisation focus much more on its
I first want to thank and congratulate both Nigel Walmsley and Bob Collier
use the core funding from SEEDA to lever much larger amounts of
website, e-marketing and regional data management activity. 2008/09
expenditure for the benefit of the region. The charts at the bottom of
saw the creation of a dedicated web and data management team that
for what they have achieved over their six years together as Chairman and
the page show that during 2008/09 an additional £3.3 million of income achieved a newly designed consumer site, the quick implementation
Managing Director, and for the welcome and support they gave me in handing
was generated over and above the SEEDA core contribution.
of a dedicated site for the recession marketing and the building of
confidence and skills across the region’s data stewards. On the ground,
over the reins. This report reflects the considerable legacy they have left.
During the second half of the year a major element of our response
research also showed that connectivity in businesses in the region has
was implementing a ‘Winning in Recession’ marketing campaign
now exceeded the targets set by SEEDA a couple of years ago.
together with a range of business support and training programmes.
My first, and crucial task, was to lead the search for a Chief Executive
Given the huge economic pressures
The recession has intensified the need for businesses to demonstrate
and I am delighted that we were able to persuade Mike Bedingfield to
and tough public spending decisions
Preparing for the opportunities which will arise from the 2012
greater value and quality so Tourism South East has continued to
join us from VisitBritain. Mike has huge knowledge and experience of
ahead, I expect our role to be
Olympic & Paralympic Games was also a significant programme
promote the national quality assessment schemes and introduced
tourism, management and marketing and will be a great asset to us all.
challenged and scrutinised more than
of work in 2008/09. This began at the end of last year with the
new one-to-one support this year to encourage greater take up by
ever in the year ahead. But from my many visits already, I have seen
launch of the 2012 Visitor Economy Strategy on behalf of the
accommodation operators. It was also telling to see a record number
I am new to tourism and I have been struck by just how big and
the vital role we play, often behind the scenes, to act as coordinator,
South East Partnership. In August, Tourism South East joined the
of entries in the regional round of the England for Excellence Awards
important an industry it is. It makes a major impact on our economy,
motivator, champion and source of tremendous experience and
other South East representatives at the Beijing Olympics to begin
which was celebrated at Wentworth in October and brilliantly hosted
on our culture and on our quality of life, something not always fully
expertise. I am convinced we can continue to demonstrate - to our
building relationships with press and media, the National Olympic
by travel writer and broadcaster Simon Calder. Simon went on to
appreciated by our legislators and policy makers. This scale of impact
members, our funders, our partners and our stakeholders - that we
Committees and trade contacts in China. The 2012 ‘Hosting the
support the press launch of our ‘Winning in Recession’ marketing
is particularly true in the South East. We have the largest concentration
add real value in what we do, and underpin an industry that can and
World’ customer service training project was also piloted in Eton
campaign in London later in the year.
of tourism businesses in the UK, the vast majority of which are small
will be an engine of our economic recovery.
Dorney and work began on using the Paralympic Games to make the
independent operators, yet still generate over £10.5 billion of visitor
South East the most accessible region in the country. In collaboration Tourism South East continued its support for regeneration schemes
expenditure and create employment for over 300,000 people.
John Williams
with SEEDA, a wide range of high profile sports events were attracted helping to secure £9 million from the Sea Change programme for
Chairman
to the region including the Tour of Britain cycle race and the World
projects in Kent and Sussex. A very successful Wavelength conference
Beach Volleyball Championships.
was held in Hastings attracting over a 100 MPs, Council Leaders and
Chief Executives to hear about tourism and cultural regeneration.
The SEEDA review demonstrated that one of the most highly regarded
parts of Tourism South East’s work is in the field of training and once
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Tourism South East over the past six
I was delighted, in June 2009, to take over at the helm of Tourism South East
again 2008/9 was a highly productive year - nearly 3,500 employees
years and my thanks must go to the staff and Directors of the Board and
as Chief Executive from Bob Collier, who left a legacy of a strong, talented and
and 880 businesses benefited from Tourism South East training
the many friends and colleagues in businesses and partner agencies that
programmes. The Fresh Skills for Chefs initiative led to 22 master-
I have had the privilege of working with during that time. I also wish the
effective organisation. I am a great advocate for the region having grown up in
classes and nine chefs tours around the region not only helping to
new leadership of Chairman John Williams and my replacement Mike
Hampshire and Sussex and bring a detailed knowledge and genuine passion for
improve skills but also promoting the use of local produce.
Bedingfield the very best in facing the challenges of the future.
the region.
Robert Collier
Managing Direct
ir
or
ect
I arrive in a period of change in our economy, with tourism as an
Tourism is a people business and
industry needing help and support. Joining from VisitBritain, I am
with the challenge of the 2012
Expenditure (£000) 2008/09
Turnover (£000) 2008/09
acutely aware of the issues facing the tourism industry, as well as the
Games now in our sights, we are
(Total £5,306,000)
(Total £5,451,000)
importance of tourism as an industry and the positive impact it has on
committed to raising the bar in terms of the quality of the visitor
£403
£916
the economy.
experience. Training continues to be a vital part of our offering and
£467
£69
£298
an integral part of how Tourism South East demonstrates genuine
£915
£717
Even during these tough times, I am seeing opportunities for the
and measurable value in all we do to grow one of the region’s most
£465
tourism sector in the South East, especially with 2009 being regarded
important industries.
£250
£253
as “the year to holiday at home”. I recognise that to make the most
£1,496
of our region’s tourism offer, we need to work more closely with our
Personally, I shall endeavour to meet as many of our members and
£421
members, stakeholders and funders.
stakeholders in my first year as possible, to understand your needs
£677
£2,100
and demonstrate how Tourism South East can support you. I look
£553
£289
Doing this, we will maximise short term wins and build foundations
forward to meeting you.
£468
for long term sustainability in the tourism industry. This is essential to
Strategic Development & Regeneration
Marketing
SEEDA Core Funding
Marketing
realise the full economic benefit associated with the 2012 Olympic and
Mike Bedingfield
Sub-Regional Committees
Visitor Services
Other Grants
Visitor Services
Training
Membership & Communication
Strategic Development & Regeneration
Membership Subscriptions
Paralympic Games and the legacy these will leave for our industry.
Chief Executive
Research
Support Services
Training
Miscellaneous
Research
4
www.industry.visitsoutheastengland.com
www.visitsoutheastengland.com
5