Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out a tourism and destination management plan for the City – ‘Coventry Tourism Strategy 2019-2023’.

The report and appendices submitted addressed the outcomes of 12 months of tourism research and over 70 independently conducted stakeholder interviews on the development of Coventry’s tourism offer. The adoption of the Strategy would provide a strong foundation from which to build successful tourism outcomes and economic impact from Coventry’s position as European City of Sport 2019, UK City of Culture 2021, and as a host city for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.

The proposed Strategy’s stated vision was by 2023 perceptions and awareness of Coventry as a leisure and business tourism destination would have improved and grown and residents would be even more proud, active ambassadors of their city.  The city would be recognised as a host for major events and the city would be attracting more than 10 million visitors a year’.

The Strategy provided a five year vision and strategic plan for developing the Coventry visitor experience and visitor economy, building on the unique opportunities presented by the city’s economic and industrial development alongside its place as European City of Sport 2019, UK City of Culture 2021 and its role as a host city for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.  The development of the strategy had been commissioned by Coventry City Council and the Coventry City of Culture Trust, with funding from the Great Place Scheme (supported by Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Fund).

It was intended that the Strategy and its underpinning delivery plans would continue to evolve over the five year journey towards achieving its vision.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1.  Approves the Coventry Tourism Strategy 2019-2023.

2.  Notes the establishment of the Destination Partnership between the relevant partners and stakeholders (as set out in Appendix 4 of the report) for the purposes of overseeing and managing the implementation of the Coventry Tourism Strategy 2019-2023.

3.  Agrees that the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration (or any other Elected Member that the Cabinet considers most appropriate) be nominated as the Chair of the Destination Partnership.

4.  Notes that the Destination Partnership will operate in shadow form for the purposes of finalising the term of references and composition of its members as set out in the Tourism Strategy 2019-2023.

5.  Delegates authority to the City Solicitor to finalise and approve the terms of reference for the Destination Partnership.