Issue - meetings

Stuart green advised that the tourism partnership has set up a trading arm which has received  164K in  funding

Since the summer, 2 contractors and a project director have been appointed to oversee the implementation of the project, part of which is the creation of a new marketing association.  The partnership is developing  a new website which will link with other local marketing group websites

This should begin to come online late in January.

Stuart advised that the next tourism summit will be on Bute  in 2013

St Columba 2013 is anniversary of St Columba landing On Iona.   On May 18-19 a number of civic leaders will be attending a service which has provided a platform for the strategic tourism partnership allowing an opportunity to showcase tourism and local businesses Kevin Baker from the council’s Communities and Culture service  is lead on this

Kintyre and Gigha Marketing Group

·         Industry led group - 7 businesses driving the group at the moment - Springbank, WCM/Kintyre Express, Southworth/Machrihanish Dunes; The Ardshiel, The Putechan; Machrihanish Caravan Park, Point Sands Caravan Park.  To include all businesses up to and including Tarbert and also Gigha.

·         TCM is involved with this group as coordinator and link with Town Centre

·         CGS pupils have been asked to design a logo and artwork under the branding theme of ‘My Kintyre’

·         Springbank design team will reproduce this artwork as a logo in a form for all to use

·         Website will be produced to list all businesses by category with lomks to own websites.  Support will be offered to anyone who does not have a website to help set up a free website

·         Include art and culture groups who offer attractors and a ‘what’s on’ diary

·         Marketing – Springbank are going to print website details and logo on all product packaging being distributed nationally and internationally.  Southworth/Machrihanish Dunes already marketing their company around the world and will include marketing of the area in this.  WCM are happy to promote Kintyre and Gigha on their coaches (external bodywork or internal advertising – DVD)

The Chair commented that he was pleased that work with the Group was progressing.