Sustainable Development Committee 16 April 2008 Tourism Partnership

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 16 APRIL 2008 TOURISM PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT AND FUNDING FOR 2008/09 Report by Director for Sustainable Communities PURPOSE OF REPORT To agree the Partnership Agreement with VisitScotland for 2008 / 09 and to agree funding for VisitScotland Hebrides for the same period. COMPETENCE 1.1 There are no legal, financial or other constraints to the recommendations being implemented. SUMMARY 2.1 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and VisitScotland (VS) have had a Partnership Agreement on the delivery of tourism services in the islands since 2005. The Agreement details how the Comhairle wishes to see the area marketed and what methods are used to undertake the marketing effort. 2.2 The agreement does not specify costs against any activity with the allocation of Comhairle funding covering the whole of the activities contained in the Partnership Agreement. Comhairle funding was reduced slightly last year and VisitScotland Hebrides reviewed elements of the agreement to achieve efficiencies but marketing and visitor services were broadly in line with previous years. 2.3 The changes to the VisitScotland set-up announced in September of last year might have an effect on how future marketing is undertaken so it is important that the Outer Hebrides maintains a tourism presence broadly similar to that which exists at present. The Tourism Member / Officer Working Group has discussed the Agreement and requested that the Chief Executive of VisitScotland Hebrides make a presentation to the Sustainable Development Committee. RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Comhairle: a) approve funding of £100,000 for core activities and £25,000 for VisitHebrides.com, to VisitScotland from the 2007 / 08 Tourism budget; and b) authorise the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources in consultation with the Director for Sustainable Communities, to conclude an agreement with VisitScotland on the basis of the draft Partnership Agreement at Appendix I to the Report. Contact Officer: Roderick MacDonald, Economic Development Officer Appendix: 1. Draft of Proposed Agreement 2. VisitScotland Report Background Papers: None REPORT DETAILS INTRODUCTION 4.1 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and VisitScotland (VS) have had a Partnership Agreement in place since 2005 on how tourism services should be provided in the islands. This Agreement is a legal document, which details the tourism services the Comhairle expects from VisitScotland for the funding provided. 4.2 The main points covered within the agreement are: Strategy; Marketing (Branding, Tourism Brochure, VisitHebrides.com); Tourism Information (TIC’s Information Points); Events Development; Research; Local Industry Association and Quality 4.3 VS have provided feedback to the Tourism MOWG on how the aims of the Agreement have been achieved. PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT 5.1 The Partnership Agreement for 2007 / 08 was discussed by the Tourism MOWG on 4 March 2008 and they are happy that a similar Agreement to last year, highlighting the tourism services the Comhairle wish to see delivered, is progressed. 5.2 The Chief Executive of VisitScotland Hebrides produced a report and gave a presentation to the Tourism MOWG of activities over the last year linked to the Partnership Agreement 2007/08. This included Strategy, Tourism Information Services, Marketing, Events/Exhibitions/PR/Grants, Research, Local Industry Association, Quality and Finance. 5.3 The MOWG requested that the Chief Executive give a similar presentation to the Sustainable Development Committee. 5.4 Recent changes to the VisitScotland set-up, some of which have been implemented and some which are still being discussed, will have a bearing on how tourism services in Scotland are delivered and it is essential that the Outer Hebrides maintains a tourism presence and marketing and information structure similar to what exists at present. 5.5 It is proposed that a funding package, similar to 2007 / 08 of £100,000 for core funding and £25,000 for the promotion and upkeep of the VisitHebrides web sites be agreed for the 2008 / 09 financial year. CONCLUSION 6.1 Tourism continues to be an important sector to the Outer Hebrides economy. The quality of accommodation and of the tourism product continues to improve with investment from the industry and agencies. 6.2 Other changes such as Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) provide opportunities and challenges for the future and the tourism sector needs to respond to these to maximise income for the islands. 6.3 With the gradual extension of the tourism season further new opportunities will present themselves and this area must be able to take advantage of such opportunities. APPENDIX 1: DRAFT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT MINUTE of AGREEMENT between The Scottish Network (1 or 2) Tourist Board, established by the Scottish Network [1/2] Tourist Board Scheme Order 2004 and having its principal office at Ocean Point One, 94 Ocean Drive, Edinburgh EH6 6JH who, along with the Scottish Tourist Board and the Scottish Network (1 or 2) Tourist Board collectively operate under the name “VisitScotland” and are hereinafter referred to by that name in this agreement and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, established by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, and having its principal offices at Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis hereinafter referred to as “The Council” WHEREAS (A) The parties to this Agreement wish to work together for the promotion and development of tourism in the area of the Outer Hebrides (B) The Council has agreed to provide financial and other assistance to VisitScotland in terms of Section 175 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (C) VisitScotland and the Council have agreed to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of regulating their relationship with each other; THEREFORE IT IS AGREED as follows: 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 1.1. The following definitions shall apply throughout this Agreement, and throughout the Schedule, unless the contrary intention appears: “Area” means the area within the Council’s jurisdiction. “Area Director” means VisitScotland’s Area Director for VisitScotland Hebrides based at South Beach Street, Stornoway. “Network Office” means VisitScotland’s South Beach, Stornoway office at South Beach Street, Stornoway. “Network Office Budget” has the meaning assigned to it by Clause 9.1 hereof. “VisitScotland” means the operating name used by the group of organisations comprising the Scottish Tourist Board, the Scottish Network 1 Tourist Board and the Scottish Network 2 Tourist Board. 2. PERIOD OF AGREEMENT This Agreement will apply to the period from 1 April 2008 until 31 March 2009, notwithstanding the date or dates on which it is signed. The Agreement may be renewed with the mutual consent of the parties. 3. SHARED AIMS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM 3.1. Both parties agree that tourism is an essential element in the economic development strategy for the Area and a key driver for growth in the local economy. 3.2. Both parties support the aims and objectives of the national tourism plan “Tourism Framework for Change”. 3.3. The parties agree to work jointly to develop tourism in the area, with the aim of the Area making a significant contribution towards the ambition of achieving 50% growth in the value of tourism in Scotland by 2015. 4. COMMUNITY PLANNING VisitScotland acknowledges the Council’s lead in community planning for the Area, and undertakes to participate in and support the community planning process to ensure that tourism contributes to the wellbeing of the Area in so far as this is impacted by tourism. 5. AREA TOURISM PARTNERSHIPS AND PLANS 5.1 Both parties agree to participate in the Outer Hebrides Tourism Partnership. 5.2 VisitScotland will be responsible for providing administrative support to the Partnership. This support will include facilitating the adoption of an Area Tourism Partnership Plan setting out the agreed priorities for developing tourism in the Area and the actions which members of the partnership commit to. 5.3 Both the Council and VisitScotland agree that their respective commitments to actions in implementation of the Area Tourism Partnership Plan will be provided for in any future amendments or replacements of this Agreement. 6. ACTIVITIES TO BE DELIVERED BY VISITSCOTLAND VisitScotland undertakes to deliver tourism services in and for the benefit of the Area. These services may be delivered nationally, through the Network Office or through another Network Office, all as set out and defined in Appendix 2 to this Agreement. 7. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS VisitScotland has established a system of performance indicators for its network offices, all as set out in appendix 3 to this Agreement. A quarterly report on the performance of the Network Office in respect of these indicators will be provided to the Council as soon as possible and, in any event, not later than one month after the end of each quarter. 8. PROVISION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER ASSISTANCE 8.1 In furtherance of this Agreement, the Council will provide funding of xxxx pounds to VisitScotland. 8.2 Funding will be paid in four quarterly instalments on receipt by the Council of an invoice for the amount due as follows: • First instalment: Due on 1 April 2008 or, if this Agreement has not been executed by that date, the date of such execution; • Second instalment: Due on 1 July 2008; • Third instalment: Due on 1 October 2008; • Fourth instalment: Due on 1 January 2009. [note: by agreement, instalment arrangements can be varied to provide for two instalments or a single annual payment} 9. NETWORK OFFICE BUDGET 9.1 A provisional budget showing income and expenditure for the Network Office is set out in appendix 1 to this Agreement. 9.2 VisitScotland will provide the Council with a final Network Office Budget by not later than 31 May 2008, and will notify the Council promptly of any changes to this budget proposed during the year. 9.3 VisitScotland will provide the Council with information on its total national budget and will inform the Council of any material changes to that budget during the year.

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