Issue - meetings

The City Centre Director will provide a progress report on the early stages of the review.

Sarah Harrison, City Centre Director, presented an outline draft plan for the review of the effectiveness of Leicester’s Tourism Strategy. The draft outlined what would be covered at each of the meetings, and at each stage various people would be invited to give evidence.

Members offered suggestions for inclusion in the marketing and promotion of Leicester’s tourism offer. Sarah said that all comments were welcome and would be considered. She added that Richard III was the springboard from which the tourism offer could be developed.

The Chair suggested the first meeting cover the following:

·         Analysis of current employment situation that supports tourism in Leicester:

1/ Jobs and quality of jobs.

2/ Accessibility needed highlighting in the review, i.e. getting from A to B for everyone.

The Chair said it would be useful to have a list of stakeholders the Scrutiny Commission would be hearing from with experience in the areas above, for example, employment, training providers that would look to enhance opportunities of work. She added that the review would be planned over five meetings to take into account a need to hear evidence. It was suggested LLEP be included in the list of stakeholders.

Sarah noted the suggestion the tourism offer should include the contribution of immigrant communities to the economy of the city. It was also noted the city should be marketed to students at the universities in Leicester, and include family members and friends visiting the city, and alumni. It was also suggested comparison be made to similar cities, to see how they dealt with tourism.

The Chair said a timetable of witness and evidence should be assembled and held over a period of five meetings.

The Chair thanked Sarah for the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    The timetable for the review be brought to the next meeting.