WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. VISIT Forum 16/02/05 Paper 1 Annex 1 Table - Comments on Draft Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Action Plan for Discussion by VISIT Forum members Ref 1 Comments Reasonable to concentrate on businesses within the Park first, but some recognition of potential of businesses outwith the Park to be included in the strategy,….. Decision taken by Forum Agreed that a para should reflect this point – insert p28 Ref 2 Comments Concern that observations are noted without specific references, is there sufficient detail from the enterprise survey within the document Decision taken by Forum It was agreed that rigid addition of specific references would alter the report significantly and this was not recommended. However a further annex should be included to provide greater detail on the references and the processes of information gathering Ref 3 Comments Little reference to important brands within the Park and sub brands. Decision taken by Forum RD stressed that the strategy was an overarching framework and it was not intended to provide great detail at the ‘sub brand level’ although examples of such are reflected throughout the document Ref 4 Page 7 Comments Visitor attractions - What evidence is there to suggest that the attractions are not acting as a draw in their own right, when previously this might have been the case Decision taken by Forum Change of wording to reflect that some attractions may be a draw in their own right, but ‘most aren’t’ remains Ref 5 Page 17 Comments Falling cost of travel –the Park area offers some of the highest fuel prices in the UK and this effects visitor distribution, particularly to nonhoneypot areas. Could this be covered under ‘weaknesses’ Decision taken by Forum Not sure that high fuel prices are an issue once the decision to visit the Park is taken by visitors, however, reasonable to add issue to ‘weaknesses’ Ref 6 Page 17 or 9 Comments Business Tourism is missing from market trends, now generating 30% of tourism activity in Scotland, the business tourism and corporate activity product is well established in Aviemore, Badenoch and Strathspey. Decision taken by Forum Agreed this should be included perhaps with the additional mention that the area also hosts a number of businesses providing team building, and corporate activity events Ref 7 Page 22 Comments Add to strengths – sporting culture; entrepreneurial attitude Add to weaknesses – public sector strength/private business weakness/capacity to be involved Add to opportunities – association with local sports personalities and the sporting ethos Add to threat – competitors advancing while we are just talking?, Failure to address past inappropriate development? Decision taken by Forum Final confirmation of all these by sub-group Ref 8 Page 24 - 3.1 Comments Insert ‘In working to achieve these aims, legislation makes clear that if it appears to the authority that there is a conflict between the National Park aim set out in 1 above, and other National Park aims then the authority must give greater weight to this aim.’ Decision taken by Forum Insert new paragraph Ref 9 Page 25 Comments Under heading Scottish tourism, new paragraph after ‘important pointers for this strategy’ Insert: VisitScotland is to play the lead role in the marketing of Scotland, and the Scottish Executive have suggested that a 50% rise in tourism revenues by 2015 in Scotland is achievable. Central to the marketing and promotional activities will be campaigns to increase visitor interest in the specific areas, which are particularly relevant to the CNP, of wildlife, activities and culture. Decision taken by Forum Insert Ref 10 Page 25 Comments Insert reference to Natural Heritage strategy, as agreed by Board Feb 05 Decision taken by Forum Insert Ref 11 Page 28 Comments Second priority about increase in appreciation: Consider changing the term ‘wilderness landscapes’ to ‘diversity of landuse or patchwork of habitats. Decision taken by Forum Agreed that current reference to wilderness should remain or replace with wild land acknowledge that discussion on special qualities of the area is ongoing Ref 12 Page 30 Comments Concern over the ambitious approach of the strategy and ‘feel that the strategy could benefit from addressing the role that the CNPA could have in adding value to the statutory responsibilities of partner organisations, and in supporting established tourism industry groups to achieve their own visions within a sustainable framework. Suggest that the role of the CNPA needs to be highlighted, it is almost ‘lost’ as second last bullet point of 3.2 (directions and approaches), or repeated elsewhere. Decision taken by Forum Feel that the role of the CNPA is accurately reflected within 3.2 but it should be moved so that it is the first ‘direction and approach’ to be read. However, these concerns also need addressing in chapter 5 and the priorities for action, giving greater clarity to the role of the CNPA with partners. The CNPA are noted in the Action Plan as the lead agency because they the most likely to be the ‘initiator’ of some of the actions Ref 13 Page 31 Comments One week holidays are offered as hotel based for 36 weeks of year by private enterprise, and so queries the assertion that 1-2 week holiday makers tend to use self catering. Decision taken by Forum Forum felt that although there are exceptions, the majority of 1-2 week holiday takers tend to be self catering, and the current wording reflects this Ref 14 Page 32 Comments Insert final sentence under Vision ‘Land Managers will view visitors and the tourism industry as being important net contributors to their livelihood’ Decision taken by Forum Insert Ref 15 Page 33 Comments 4 Quality and Welcome – add after visitors, ‘communities, owners and staff Decision taken by Forum Agreed with change to communities, owners and those who work within the tourist industry Comments 8 To encourage an optimum flow….. and minimise adverse social and environmental impact and congestion from visitors and traffic generated by tourism Decision taken by Forum Agreed Comments 9 To involve local and other? Communities in the planning and development of tourism Decision taken by Forum No Ref 16 Page 39 Comments 3c - Should pre arrival be added here? Or is this adequately covered elsewhere Decision taken by Forum No, this adequately covered in strategic objectives 2 and 3 Ref 17 Page 41 Comments 3h - Suggest add final bullet ‘Providing financial support for training so that rangers can perform the full range of duties required to inspire visitors and locals alike Decision taken by Forum Insert Ref 18 Page 47 Comments More on parallel sustainable standards should be included eg golf course scheme, Blue Flag for inland beaches, UIAA Environment label for climbing and walking guides – sustainability marks to be encouraged, Decision taken by Forum Insert reference to other sustainable standard schemes in 7d, and include in development of criteria for use of the brand Ref 19 Page 40 Comments 4b - ‘easing the cost of joining schemes where possible’ asking for clarification on this Decision taken by Forum Clarification given that these could be by a variety of methods (not necessarily direct subsidy, and this was not a commitment without further discussion Ref 20 Page 48 Comments 7b - Amend title to ‘Support land managers and others to provide, enhance and maintain the quality of the natural and cultural heritage as a key tourism resource Decision taken by Forum Insert Ref 21 Page 49 – 8f Comments Active dialogue with coach operators - for discussion Consider ‘The opportunities for more high-spending day visitors through corporate and other groups staying in Aberdeen for example, or through passengers on cruise ships visiting east coast ports. First bullet point after coach operators could insert ‘including those not based in the NP area to look at their needs and interests, routes used, toilet provision and car parking, or clear set down and pick up points, environmental management, purchasing policies etc Decision taken by Forum Agreed that coach operators are given a negative slant and this should be addressed Insert Ref 22 Page Ch 5 p52 Comments Insert introductory paragraph stressing that Chapter 5 will become the working document for VISIT Forum and the CNPA. It will be an evolving document that will form the basis of updates to the Forum on a regular basis. Significant progress on a number of these priority actions has already been undertaken, and this will be summarised in the first update to the VISIT Forum. Suggest ‘lead’ agencies is changed to partner agencies for this version of the table. Decision taken by Forum Insert new paragraph Decision on how to list agencies involved at this stage of the action plan to be made by sub-group Ref 23 Page 52 Comments Suggest Local Business Associations should be added to list of partner agencies Decision taken by Forum Insert Ref 24 Page 58 Comments Tourism Enterprise Performance and Satisfaction – acknowledge that full consideration of indicators and monitoring is required Decision taken by Forum Agreed that further work is required on the indicators and monitoring and this will be taken forward by the CNPA Ref 25 Page 58 Comments 5.3 indicators under volume and spread of tourism – ‘proportion of repeat visitors Decision taken by Forum Insert Ref 26 Page 59 Comments Concern over use of STEAM model when Enterprise Network no longer use the model Decision taken by Forum CNPA gave great consideration to the use of this model feel that despite the drawbacks it is the most useful means of producing the required data