Development (Tourism and Promotion of Belfast) Sub-Committee 9 May 2007
From Nigov
Development Committee Wednesday, 9th May, 2007
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT (TOURISM AND PROMOTION OF BELFAST) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor D. Dodds (Chairman); and Councillors Adamson, M. Browne, Hartley, Hendron, Mhic Giolla Mhín, Mullaghan and O'Reilly.
In attendance
- Ms. M. T. McGivern (Director of Development)
- Ms. S. McCay (Head of Economic Initiatives)
- Ms. O. Murtagh (Tourism Development Manager)
- Mr. G. Copeland (Events Manager)
- Mr. B. Flynn (Committee Administrator)
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor P. Maskey.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 11th April were taken as read and signed as correct.
Cultural Tourism Update
The Tourism Development Manager reminded the Sub-Committee that the Council's Cultural Tourism Strategy had identified the need to promote the City as a cultural destination, particularly through an awareness campaign aimed at journalists throughout the British Isles. She explained that feedback from the Cultural Tourism Conference which had been held during September had indicated that those who had attended had not been aware that they needed to sell what was indigenous to Belfast in order to receive national media coverage. Accordingly, she sought the Sub-Committee's authority to host the following events at a cost not to exceed £15,000:
(i) a workshop to assist cultural organisations formulate a strategy to target the national and international media in order to promote the City;
(ii) a workshop for journalists to promote Belfast's Cultural Tourism Initiative; and
(iii) a number of tours to be organised in conjunction with the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau and Tourism Ireland, for journalists to visit venues and cultural organisations in order to be updated on current cultural activity.
The Sub-Committee granted the authority sought.
Cultural Tourism Product Development Initiatives
The Tourism Development Manager reminded the Sub-Committee that, as part of the initiative to develop Cultural Tourism, it had been agreed that a number of specific tourism guides be produced. Accordingly, she recommended that a sum of £5,000 be allocated towards the production of each of the following brochures:
A Literary Guide, Quirky Guide, Antiques and Auctions Guide, Quality Buildings Guide, Geo-Tourism Guide and Budget Guides to Belfast.
The Sub-Committee agreed, with one Member expressing dissent, to adopt the recommendation.
Sunday Cultural Tourism Activity
The Sub-Committee was reminded that the findings of the Belfast Tourism Monitor had identified the need to develop, market and evaluate the number and types of attractions which opened in Belfast on a Sunday. Accordingly, the Tourism Development Manager recommended that the Sub-Committee agree to allocate a sum of £7,000 towards the development of a marketing plan in this regard, together with a further £7,000 to produce a guide on Sunday Cultural Tourism.
The Sub-Committee agreed, with one Member expressing dissent, to adopt the recommendations.
Evening Economy
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendations.
Review of Tours of Belfast
The Tourism Development Manager reminded the Members that the Council had been working in conjunction with the Tour Guide Association and the Blue Badge Guides to develop tours throughout the City. She informed the Members that a number of issues had arisen in respect of the lack of regulation of private companies which were undertaking such tours and the Council had been in discussions with a number of different stakeholders in order to agree a framework for regulation.
Accordingly, she recommended that the Sub-Committee agree that Council officers meet with key stakeholders in order to agree a framework for the regulating of tours within Belfast and that a letter be sent to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr. Nigel Dodds, M.P., seeking his assistance in the matter.
The Sub-Committee agreed to this course of action.
Lagan Canal Restoration Update
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an update regarding the Lagan Canal Restoration Project. In addition, the Sub-Committee agreed that the Lagan Corridor Officer be authorised to attend the Annual World Canals Conference in Liverpool from 13th till 15th June.
Conference Subventions
Challenging Communities Conference 28th till 31st August, 2007
The Sub-Committee was advised that the above-mentioned Conference, which was being organised by the Society of Archivists and the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, would be held at the Queen's University of Belfast and the Waterfront Hall from 28th till 31st August, 2007. The Tourism Development Manager reported that the event would attract approximately 440 delegates, the majority of whom would be staying in hotel accommodation throughout the City. Accordingly, given that the event would enhance the City as an international conference and leisure destination, she recommended that a subvention in the sum of £2,500 be allocated toward the hosting of the Conference.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Northern Ireland Gas Industry Conference 26th till 28th September, 2007
The Tourism Development Manager advised the Sub-Committee that an application for funding had been received from the organisers of the above-mentioned Conference who had indicated that the event would attract approximately 511 delegates, the majority of whom would be staying in hotel accommodation throughout the City. She reported that the application had been assessed in accordance with the agreed funding criteria and, accordingly, it was recommended, since the event would enhance the City as an international conference and leisure destination, that a subvention in the sum of £2,000 be allocated towards the hosting of the event.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
BBC Proms - September 2007
The Events Manager advised the Sub-Committee that he had received notification that the British Broadcasting Corporation would be he holding, due to the imminent closure of the City Hall, the 2007 Proms in the Park event in Carrickfergus.
Noted.
Key Achievements
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) which provided details of the key results and outputs achieved during the previous two years.
Erection of Plaques for Belfast Citizens of Note
The Sub-Committee was reminded that it had agreed previously to provide funding to the Ulster History Circle to assist in the production of blue plaques to celebrate and highlight the achievements of former citizens of the City.
The Tourism Development Manager reported that the list of citizens of note had been updated and she recommended that the Sub-Committee authorise payment in the sum of £3,600 to the Ulster History Circle to enable it to provide plaques to acknowledge the undernoted past citizens:
- Frank McKelvey - Artist
- John Hewitt - Poet
- Sam Thompson - Playwright
- Sir Otto Jaffa - former Lord Mayor of Belfast and Philanthropist
- Charles McKimm - former Director of Parks and Cemeteries
- Amy Carmichael - Missionary
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Last Meeting of the Tourism and Promotion of Belfast Sub-Committee
The Chairman referred to the fact that, due to the introduction of the new governance arrangements on 4th June, this would be the last meeting of the Tourism and Promotion of Belfast Sub-Committee. She thanked the Members and officers for their contribution to the promotion of tourism and events throughout the City.
Noted.
Chairman
