Agenda item

Update on the Task and Finish group recommendations in relation to Support for Tourism in the County Borough.

Report of the Chair of the Economic and Community Regeneration Scrutiny Committee

 

Minutes:

Members received an update from the Chair of the previous Economic and Community Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.

 

Members were provided with an update on the recommendations that the Task and Finish Group produced in relation to the support for Tourism.

 

It was noted that the Task and Finish Group received feedback from those consulted on the process of developing tourism as it was highlighted that it was much more than just marketing what the Authority already had.

 

Officers highlighted that this was a positive step moving forward for tourism. It was noted that the authority had lost the Tourism Team several years ago, However, will be shortly advertising for 2 new posts to re-create a Tourism team.

 

Members asked for feedback on how many business’s responded to the survey. Officers highlighted that they attempted to contact as many businesses as possible. There were 34 responses in total to the initial questionnaire.

 

Officers explained that when comparing Neath Port Talbot County Borough with other areas it has been difficult to promote the area as ‘Neath Port Talbot’ as the name of the area doesn’t represent a destination as such. For example The Vale of Neath and Afan Forest Park are easy to recognise destinations but the name Neath Port Talbot is an amalgamation of two towns and not a destination visitors would understand.

 

The main aspects that the new tourism team will focus on to advertise are visitor marketin’s which can be summarised as the national trust market, activity market and family visitor markets.

 

Members highlighted that the Splashpool in Aberavon was closed during April when the weather was pleasant, and asked that the Splashpool be open earlier in the year to accommodate for when the weather is nice. Officers highlighted that the Splashpool is coming to the end of its natural life. It was noted that the weather is unreliable and if the splashpool were to open earlier in the year it may not be utilised if it was raining. It was noted that there is a proposal in making the opening times more flexible, however they would have to have a discussion with Celtic Leisure.

 

It was highlighted that the Steelworks could be promoted for tourism as public maybe interested in the science behind it.

 

Officers highlighted that the majority of people that attend day trips are the residents of Neath Port Talbot or from neighbouring counties. For future activities it is not proposed that a significant marketing spend will be allocated to day visitors such as these and that we will concentrate on those visitors intending to stay in NPT or visit the area as part of a holiday in a neighbouring area.  This is because the potential economic impact from staying visitors is approximately ten times the value of a day visitor.

Members suggested promoting sites in Neath Port Talbot for Camping as that is a large part of family holidays.

 

Members asked for the Report from Regeneration, Scrutiny Committee be circulated to the Members of this committee.

 

Members noted the update.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: