Post by Bob on Aug 1, 2011 9:32:34 GMT 1
In the period 2005-09 expenditure by UK domestic visitors to Wales had declined from £1.73bn in 2005 to £1.41bn five years later, a decrease of £317m or 18.3% – 3.7% a year. This was at a time when tourism was growing in Europe at between 2.5-3%. In 2009 the value accrued by UK domestic tourist trips and bed nights spent in Wales was significantly less than in2000
At the heart of the problem is a failure to understand the principles of destination development and to create the appropriate type of strategically focused organisations that drive tourism at the destination level.
“At present our tourism organisations are dominated by risk-averse, non-market focused public bodies, with local authorities often ‘leading’ tourism strategies.
“As a result, the industry is characterised by a lack of innovation and creativity in its product development and marketing. The industry is over reliant upon subsidies and handouts which prevents innovation. Small voices continue to shout loudly and, worse, are all too often heard at the expense of those whose businesses can make a real difference
At the heart of the problem is a failure to understand the principles of destination development and to create the appropriate type of strategically focused organisations that drive tourism at the destination level.
“At present our tourism organisations are dominated by risk-averse, non-market focused public bodies, with local authorities often ‘leading’ tourism strategies.
“As a result, the industry is characterised by a lack of innovation and creativity in its product development and marketing. The industry is over reliant upon subsidies and handouts which prevents innovation. Small voices continue to shout loudly and, worse, are all too often heard at the expense of those whose businesses can make a real difference