2010 Programme Can it be done?
Current Situation
• Wasted hotel rooms – 50% empty • Empty theatres – dark from mid July to Sept • Quiet galleries • Wasted workforce time • Low profile nationally – factory fortnight? • Retail summer is painfully quiet What’s Not On
• Bridgewater Hall – shut • Arena – shut • Palace Theatre – shut • Urbis – shut • World Cup has finished
Britain's tourism industry is set for another "bumper" year after new research by BDRC Continental revealed that more than two-thirds of adults said they were likely to book a UK holiday in 2010. Seaside breaks are expected to retain their popularity in 2010, despite last summer's poor weather conditions after it was reported that 38 per cent of all UK holidays already booked will be taken in coastal locations. "The acid test will be when Sterling strengthens, particularly against the Euro. The UK tourism industry needs to continue to focus on delivering two key components to ensure it takes full advantage of this trend and makes Britain the destination of choice in the future - and they are value for money and quality of service."
SOURCE BDRC RESEARCH Philip Shaw, chief economist of Investec Private Bank, said “We will have a more export-oriented economy which is no bad thing at all – the UK has run a current account deficit for 27 years and you can’t keep doing that. Sterling will be helpful, we estimate that it is undervalued by 20 per cent, so this is a cast-iron opportunity for those exporting to Europe in particular.”
BEAT THE EURO Why Manchester
• Amazing range of entertainment even if its raining • Easy to head to the sea for a day if it stops raining • Swim at the Aquatic Centre • Great selection of hotels to suit every pocket • Hotels have great facilities; spa’s, pools, web access • Affordable add on to your summer • Loads of free stuff to do • Wider choice of food • Huge shopping offer • Family friendly • Feels special • Big city vibe, little city scale • Easy access by road, rail and air
Scale of Resources
• MOSI • Manchester Art Gallery • Imperial War Museum (North) • Manchester Arndale • The Lowry • Manchester Apollo • Indie Galleries, NQ • Cube • Sports City • John Ryland Library • Chinese Arts Centre • Portico Library • Royal Exchange • People’s History Museum • Yang Sing • Old Trafford • Royal Northern College of Music • The Comedy Store • Afflecks Palace • Frog and Bucket • Manchester Museum • 50 great restaurants • Printworks IMAX • 20 great lunch spots • A mile of brilliant curry • 20 outstanding pubs
What’s On
• Contacting the World – Contact Theatre • Food lovers fair – possible 6-8th August, Albert Square. • Jazz Festival • Airkix & ChillfactorE • Family Friendly Film Festival city wide • War at Sea – Imperial War Museum • Charles Darwin – the Evolution of a scientist • Toy Story 3D – from 23rd July • Cats and Dogs 3D – from 4th August
What could be on
• Special screenings • Family menu’s • Backstage tours • Shopping treats • Discounted admissions • Discounted treatment package • Special overnight rates • Luxury coach to – Great Gardens, Concorde, Tatton, Lyme Park • Call Walk the Plank or Ear to the Ground to create a children’s event. • Family Cycle tours • Sports day • Arts and Photography Competition
Left Field!
• A week of free parking • Extend Pride by two days in to the week • Talent classes – dance/sport/photography/art/cooking/ gardening
Key Features
• Emphasise Value for Money • Easy to Book • Adventure/discovery/family • Smooth service handling • Fun/modern imagery
Channels to Market
• Our own databases • Late rooms • Micro site • PR Agency stories • Ad agency placement
Chef d‘Equipe; Summer City MIKE MAGRANE Concept Questions
• What is the message • Who is the target • What is the offer - events etc • What is the price point • What is the medium (advertising and booking) • What is the cost • Who will support the cost