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 Ayrshire Chamber Tourism Committee

Committee Update June 2008
- With the demise of the Ayrshire Tourism Partnership (ATP), it is likely that the Committee will become involved with the ATP action plan by forming a strategy group.
- Ayrshire Economic Forum Dissolved at end of Feb. To become involved in a Business Forum; led by the Private Sector, working in partnership with the Public Sector, to drive forward the Ayrshire voice book a place in an Open Space Event on 4th Sept, 1.30-7.30pm, at the Park Hotel, Kilmarnock to thrash out the issues
- Bob Leitch to meet with Burns an' a' That Festival director to feedback comments from committee.
- Robbie Burns awareness training available on CD-Rom
(click here for further info and link to online taster)
- Crossraguel, 21st june 2009, feasibility study has been completed and submitted
- Ayrshire Makers second open Studios event took place on first weekend of June
- West Kilbride Craft Initiative working on proposal for Big Lottery Funding 
- application for Themed Event Funding for Homecoming Scotland 2009 unsuccessful, officlal announcement of diary of events 16th June
- Dumfries house opened by Prince Charles, guided tours available, Antiques Roadshow filming 10th July
- Free business mentoring available through the Chamber
businessmentoring@ayrshire-chamber.org

Committee Background
Developing the tourism product of Ayrshire and Arran so that; VisitScotland, individual businesses and organisations have a more attractive product to market.   A cross section of tourism related groups are represented on the Committee, all with a common goal to increase the number of visitors to Ayrshire.

Funding
Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, European, Lottery, Trust Funds and the Local Authorities have helped to fund projects on an individual basis.   Ayrshire Chamber helps with secretarial and administrative expenses, events and networking activities.  

Organisation
Possible activity is discussed and determined by members of the  Committee.
Industry-led, this committee has representation from all sectors of the industry, further and higher education, Local Authority officials. Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire and Chamber itself.

Committe members:
Howard Wilkinson, Petrie Fine Foods, Chair.
Alastair Dobson, Taste of Arran.
Alison Blair, South Ayrshire Council
Bob Leitch, Ayrshire Chamber.
Liz Brown, Ayrshire Makers.
Carolyn Elder, Largs Yacht Haven.
                      , VisitScotland.
Chris Merry, Kilmarnock College.
Fiona Carswell, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.
Gareth Pashke, Ayrshire Hotels Association.
Daniel Steel, East Ayrshire Council.
Lord Glasgow, Kelburn Castle.
Lynne Pringle, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire.
Maggie Broadley, West Kilbride Craft Town.
Malcolm Balish, Halo Hotels.
Malcolm Simpson, Golf Tourism Ayrshire
Moira Birtwistle, SAC-Auchincruive.
Rona Fulton, Destination Arran.
Siobhan Drummond, University of Paisley.
Stephanie Connelly, Ayr Retailers.
Stuart Gibson, North Ayrshire Council.
Valerie Russell, Ayrshire Chamber.
William Ferguson, Ayr College.
Alastair Breckenridge, Project Manager.

The Tourism Committee appoints Project Groups to carry out identified activity, in line with national and local priorities.

Achievements
Project Groups have worked on wide variety of business development and training projects.  
These have included:
• Work leading to the formation of the Ayrshire Conference Bureau and Scottish Golf Southwest.
• Working with schools to enhance the perception of the tourism industry as a careers prospect.
• The development of training initiatives e.g. - ‘Taste of Burns’ Country’; Burns Familiarisation courses;
• The Local Knowledge of Ayrshire.
• The production of a training guide and video for the Family History/Genealogy sector.
• The creation of a ‘Get Started in Tourism’ website for budding tourism entrepreneurs.
• The organisation of ‘Tourism Awareness Weeks’ to get the message across that tourism is everybody’s business.
• Pioneered electronic newspapers for the industry.
• Created the ‘Ayrshire Food Network’ – a grouping of local artisan food providers and caterers using traceable local produce.

Current Projects in brief
• Ayrshire Food Network (AFN).
• “Ayrshire Trails” – Trails of discovery.  
• “All About Ayrshire”.   All the research has been completed under headings: Famous People; Famous Families; Fascinating Facts; Past Events; Family Names.  
• The Local Knowledge of Ayrshire.  
• “An Ayrshire Directory” – over 300 contact details of interest to the tourist and those who look after them (from Antiques to Wildlife, including town and village sites). Available free by email from alastair@breckenridge.fsbusiness.co.uk
• Tourism Training.  Working with Ayrshire’s colleges and university (The Ayrshire Consortium for Tourism Training) to satisfy the industry’s training needs.
• The Ayrshire and Arran Visitor Attractions Association.  
• Genealogy/Heritage tourism.   Looking at the Ayrshire product with a view to developing it further.
• Ayrshire Chamber Tourism Forum has accepted responsibility for:
- Increasing the number of ‘Friends’ of Pride and Passion.
- Working with the Homecoming 2009 team to coordinate and encourage Ayrshire events.
- Reviewing the Genealogy/Heritage product
- Considering more collaborative working between the food and drink sector and other parts of the industry e.g. crafts
- Communicating with the sector in general.

Apart from the organisations mentioned under Projects, the Main Committee, the Food/Gastronomy Project Group and the Culture/Heritage Project group, carry out this work.

The Ayrshire Chamber Tourism Committee also provides secretarial support to the Ayrshire Food Network, The Ayrshire and Arran Visitor Attractions Association and the Ayrshire Consortium for Tourism Training (see Associate Organisations and Training)