Pilot destinations sought for integrated tourism development initiative – second call

Community tourism destination? Do you want more money, more opportunities from tourism?

If you are a community, you may want:

• Real long-term training & employment opportunities
• To develop your small businesses
• To bring money in from tourism
• Make your community members leisure time better
• Instil an understanding if where you live and your community’s pride of place
• Develop educational facilities
• Develop a local green economy

A results-based programme will use social media, training, and local co-operations to develop sustainable destination tourism potential and maximise demonstrable local economic benefits to achieve these aims and more.

Pilot destinations are sought for the second round of a new tourism development initiative. Based on the destinations requirements, each individual programme will include a mix of:

• Local SME and SMME tourism training
• Development of local tourism co-operations related to all tourism-facing local businesses (including retail, producers, cultural)
• B2B and consumer marketing development, creation and delivery
• Local branding and social media initiatives
• Development of B2B and MICE business
• Development of niche tourism products (including soft adventure, cultural and walking holidays)
• Development of multi-sectoral integrated tourism products (including local food and drink, local artisan, local cultural activities)
• Development of tourism-creating events (such as festivals, fairs and markets)

Initially the programme is set to focus on smaller tourism destinations with a significant tourism potential and some existing tourism product. The object is to develop tourism which has demonstrable and calculable economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for local populations and maximizes tourist spend into the local economy.

In the first instance 12 destinations will be chosen to take part in the initiative although the pilot will be expanded during the course of the programme.

Expressions of interest can be presented by any tourism-related interested party (private or public sector) should be sent in the first instance to [email protected]. Expressions of interest should include a description of the destination and its current and potential tourism activity.

For further information just email: [email protected]

The Integrated Tourism Development Initiative is created by the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite – supporters:  ABTA – The Travel Association, ITB Berlin, Discover Ltd., Club Med, Innovation Norway, Thomas Cook Ltd., FourBGB, Cape Town Tourism, Bord Failte, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Green Tourism Business Scheme, MCI Business School Innsbruck, Considerate Hoteliers, Amstel Botel

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