Issue - meetings

Report of the Chairman of the Tourism Recovery in Wyre Task Group and Corporate Director Communities.

The Chairman of the Tourism Recovery in Wyre Task Group and Corporate Director Communities submitted a report to Cabinet detailing the work of the Tourism Recovery in Wyre Task Group.

Decisions

Cabinet agreed the following recommendations (numbered as per the report)

3.1 That the council concentrates on the promotion of Wyre as a tourist destination.

A new communications plan was being prepared and it would include a campaign focused on the visitor economy which we recognised as being more important than ever as part of Covid-19 recovery.

Utilising Welcome Back Funding, a promotional video and photography had been commissioned to showcase what Wyre has to offer as a destination and some outdoor theatre had been organised during the forthcoming half term at Poulton and Garstang.

3.2 That the Discover Wyre website be brought in-house.

The team have already given notice to New Mind, the current provider of the Discover Wyre website and a new website was under development using Jadu, the same system used for the Council website. This would provide greater ownership of the layout and content of the website and the plan was to launch a new Discover Wyre website in April 2022.

3.3 That improvements be made to the Discover Wyre website and for it to concentrate on promoting the individual towns within the borough, ensuring all areas are covered equally.

As part of the new Discover Wyre website, consideration would be given to how to each individual town could be better promoted as part of Wyre’s visitor offer.

3.5 That a digital marketing strategy for the council’s various digital platforms be created, in order to benefit the wider tourism strategy. In addition, report the defined objectives of this strategy back to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (O&S).

As part of the Communications Plan, a Campaigns Plan would be developed for the Visitor Economy Campaign. As part of this plan, there would be a focus on how digital marketing tools such as social media and e-newsletters could be better utilised. Once developed, the Campaigns Plan could be shared with O&S.

3.6 That there is a continued collaborative working relationship between the Tourism, Events and Communication teams.

The council had implemented a structure change on 1 December 2021 and created a new service, Communications and Visitor Economy, bringing together communications, marketing, tourism and events, which was led by Emma Lyons as the new Service Manager.

3.7 That coach industries and businesses be invited back to Wyre to see what coach offer/packages Wyre can offer.

Welcome Back funding had been allocated to work proactively with coach companies to focus on encouraging them to bring more visitors to Wyre. The Tourism Development Officer was leading on this and the first coach group tour had been booked for 12 February.

3.10 To explore options that will enhance the Civic Centre, including the Members Lounge, to make it a more attractive venue for weddings and other events.

A small budget had been allocated to undertake decoration of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28