Tourism Commission to look to the future

Although the tourist industry is having a particularly difficult time this year, in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland, a new board has been set up to make plans for the future of the industry.

Lincolnshire County Council’s Cllr Colin Davie, who also sits on the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) has set up a Tourism Commission, with industry representatives from across the area.

Ahead of its first virtual meeting today (Monday 28 September), Cllr Colin Davie said: “Over the next 6 months we will be discussing the challenges we are facing such as how to encourage more year-round tourism and get better real-time data, as well as how to best play to our strengths and deliver change.

“By having a joined up offer and vision, we will be best placed to take advantage of new opportunities and give our tourism sector a strong future.”

The Commission is made up of private sector representatives, who will propose a future for the tourist industry that they feel will get local buy-in.

Tim Downing, Director at Pygott and Crone, said: “Lincolnshire has such a fantastic and varied tourism offering and it’s great to see a strong group of businesses and individuals who are passionate about our wonderful county, looking to work with the LEP to look at how we can  promote the region to regional, national and international tourists and visitors.

“Now is more important than ever to be proactive and make sure the county’s visitor economy benefits from the renewed interest in UK-based tourism.”

Gary Headland, CEO at the Lincoln College Group, said: “The Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland area has enormous potential from a hospitality, events, arts and tourism (HEAT) perspective.  I am pleased to be able to participate in the commission providing input on employment and skills, as well as an international perspective which I think is really relevant.

“At our first meeting today we had a great group of people with loads of ideas to help the companies operating in the HEAT environment to re-grow and prosper once conditions allows.”

A final report from the Tourism Commission will be produced in late February, 2021.

“There is much change happening,” Cllr Davie added. “The Commission plan to meet six times, and ultimately have a clear goal of where we want our sector to be and how we will achieve that. Once we have produced our recommendations, if we then disband – that’s absolutely fine. We’ve done our job.”