Driving Investment in the Visitor Infrastructure

Tourism Investment is a core priority in East Midlands Tourism’s Strategic Plan 2008 – 2011. It focuses on improving the infrastructure of the visitor offer in the region.

In 2007/8, a Tourism Investment Plan was developed working closely with key stakeholders. The plan contains guiding principles for those interested in developing the East Midlands visitor economy. The nature of the activity identified in the Plan will determine how it is taken forward. Public sector agencies, private sector project originators and local authorities will all take an active role in the progression of the Plan’s activity.

An overview of Phase 1 and 2 is available in the Executive Summary

Situational Analysis – Phase 1

Phase 1 was a scoping exercise to identify planned and ongoing activity. It made early recommendations for existing destinations, emerging destinations, tourism themes and flagship attraction developments.

Six reports were subsequently developed. The regional report details the overarching principles of the approach to tourism investment in the East Midlands. The Destination Management Partnership (DMP) reports offer detailed information for each county.

Phase 1 reports:
Executive summary for the East Midlands
Full version of the East Midlands regional report (2.2MB, pdf)

Peak District & Derbyshire: Download report (pdf)
Leicestershire: Download report (pdf)
Lincolnshire: Download report (pdf)
Northamptonshire: Download report (pdf)
Nottinghamshire: Download report (pdf)

Whilst it is not necessary to read all of the reports, it is advised that any organisation or individual wishing to read any of the reports should also read the Executive Summary (which incorporates Phase 1 and 2)  to understand the overall context and the suggested actions that follow in Phase 2.

Consultation Period – Reflecting on Phase 1 and informing on Phase 2

A consultation period followed which included;

• an online survey achieving 78 detailed responses
• over 21 one to ones with key partners
• a regional seminar dedicated to the investment plans
• workshop sessions at East Midlands Tourism’s regional conference

This period informed the revision of the Phase 1 reports and the shaping of Phase 2.

Developing the action plan - Phase 2

As part of Phase 2, EMT has produced an Action Plan using the recommendations made in Phase 1. There are a number of actions with detailed information on how to move forward with the plan. Different types of interventions are also defined, varying from supporting concept development to influencing the private sector (a full list of the interventions can be found in the Action Plan).

Appendix B includes the Action Plan in full, grouping the actions into destinations and themes set out below:

Assessment of potential projects

The Action Plan also provides a set of criteria on Project Evaluation. The criteria is intended to support EMT and its partners in the evaluation of projects and looks at the strategic context for tourism development, project sustainability, deliverability, management, maintenance and monitoring.

Section 4 of the Action Plan provides full details of the criteria on Project Evaluation.

NB: Other opportunities to develop tourism may be present in the region but as yet these may not have specific projects attached to them and therefore have not been identified in the Plan. The scope of this work was not to identify all gaps in the region’s tourism offer, but to reflect how existing and emerging tourism investment opportunities are best exploited.

Moving Forward

Phase 2 Plans provide a framework for future investment activity in the visitor economy. They are designed to ensure tourism investment happens where it is most needed and inform how all organisations can work together to deliver a strong tourism infrastructure for the East Midlands visitor economy.

EMT is currently examining options to deliver some EMT-led, regionally significant interventions. EMT has limited resource and is unable to develop all of the investment potential identified across the region. The plan, however, is also intended as a framework to support private and public sector bodies in the future assessment and development of the range of opportunities highlighted in this investment study.

At a sub regional level there are some existing and emerging Tourism Investment Groups or networks of partners seeking to maximise the opportunities offered by these plans. For more information on the Plans, proposed interventions or sub-regional Tourism Groups, contact EMT’s Investment Manager.