Regional Development Issues
Tourism is
not a panacea for every economic ill. But tourism can, and does, make a
valuable contribution to urban and rural regeneration. ‘Regional Development’
defines those significant aspects of our work that go beyond the development
or marketing of individual operations.
At simplest, this might involve examination of the existing and
developmental relationships between various components of the destination
product mix, with recommendations on development and joint marketing. At is
most complex a regional development project will review the position and
potential of tourism within the wider local economy — the way that mainstream
tourism interacts with, depends upon and creates opportunities for retail,
catering, local products and produce, leisure and cultural provision and
manufacturing.
The most wide reaching regional development commissions also address
infrastructural issues — urban design or countryside access, traffic
management, environmental enhancement, the improvement of public
amenities.
Larger regional development projects normally require
multi-disciplinary teams. BFA have a history of working successfully with
practices in other specialist fields: urban and countryside planning and
design, civil/marine engineering, ecology, archaeology and others. The
following examples provide a flavour of our experience.
Tywyn and Aberdyfi: An Environmental and
Community Approach to Tourism Development, 1987
Regional audit, trade and community consultations, identification of
opportunities and production of a tourism development plan and local
transport recommendations for the coastal towns of Tywyn and Aberdyfi and
their hinterland. For the Wales Tourist Board. Used in support of a
successful funding bid under the 1998 WTB LEAD Initiative.
Urban Destination Marketing: A Comparative
Review, 1988
Selective UK-wide review of urban marketing departments — staffing,
funding and mechanisms — to establish a minimum resource threshold for the
Capital City of Wales. For Cardiff Marketing Bureau. Resulting in the
creation of Cardiff Marketing Ltd., a quasi-autonomous company limited by
guarantee.
Strategic Review of West Country Day Visitor
Attractions, 1988
Milestone study of the West Country attractions industry, from Wiltshire to
the Isles of Scilly. Audit, trade consultations and identification of
weakness and opportunities. For the English Tourist Board and West Country
Tourist Board. Used to inform WCTB development and investment strategy.
Rural Prosperity Programme Fishguard, 1991
Review of proposed attraction development and recommended alternatives
in the light of the town’s position as an international ferry port. For the
Welsh Development Agency.
Tourism 2000: Tourism and the Community, 1992
Contributing author to the Wales Tourist Board 5 Year Development Strategy.
Selective consultations and recommendations on good practice for
community-led tourism initiatives.
Rural Prosperity Programme Porthmadog, 1992
Audit of infrastructure, sub-regional tourism product and leisure
provision, leading to development strategy. For the Welsh Development
Agency.
Talgarth Economic Action Programme, 1994
Identification of a range of economic development and urban design options
for Talgarth, in response to the demise of a major local employer and
proposals for a new by-pass. For The Development Board for Rural Wales.
Forerunner of the Mid Wales Market Town Initiative.
Pembroke Dock Waterfront Development, 1995
Retail and tourism development options and urban design
recommendations for the gateway section of the Pembroke Dock waterfront. For
South Pembrokeshire District Council.
Tourist Information Offices, Poland, 1997
Author, development and operational manual. For the Government of
Poland.
Triple Jeopardy: Looked After Children and
Adventure Activities, 1998
Independent review of the risks associated with private children’s homes
offering adventure activities, and the potential impact on local tourism and
local communities. In response to ‘People Like Us’, Sir William Utting’s
report on safeguards for children living away from home.
Bristol & Bath: A Study of Coach Based
Tourism, 1998/99
Research into the volume and value of coach based tourism to the two
cities, together with a review of provision for coaches and recommendations
on coach management. For the West Country Tourist Board, Bristol Tourism and
Bath Tourism Bureau.
Porthcawl Regeneration Study, 2003/04
Supplementary Planning Guidance. Urban design for mixed retail,
housing and tourism/leisure development for the Porthcawl Sandy Bay
Regeneration Zone. For Bridgend County Borough Council.
Barrie Foster FTS, MCIM, MISPAL, Chartered Marketer
The Old Coach House Mathry Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire Wales UK SA62
5HB
Phone: +44 (0)1348 831081 Fax +44 (0)1348 831081 E:
barrie.foster1@btinternet.com
© 2009 Barrie Foster & Associates unless otherwise
stated.
home
overview
strategic development
marketing
regional development
mentoring
media
research
accreditation
hill house publications
pilgrim travel
useful links
news, comment &
articles
galleries
contact
top
