Issue - items at meetings - Eco Tourism

Report of the Strategic Director of Communities (copy attached)

            RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member agrees to the launch, consultation around and implementation of an eco-tourism strand of activity for Brighton and Hove.

59.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities outlining the council’s commitment to developing, launching and delivering a successful strand of eco-tourism.

59.2    The Commissioner of Culture explained that Brighton and Hove was a successful tourist destination, the city had refreshed and renewed its visitor policy over a number of decades in order to create more jobs, to be competitive and to change the visitor profile. The development of a strand if eco-tourism as part of this strategy had been part of the city’s aspiration to continually develop and refresh its offer. It also fell in line with the department’s commitment to the Council’s Corporate Plan. The report outlined the council’s commitment to developing, launching  and delivering a successful strand of eco-tourism.

59.3    In response to questions by Councillor Fitch the Strategic Director explained that camping and up market camp site options were being explored as much of the outer area of the city sat within the boundaries of the South Downs National Park which opened up a new range of opportunities for the city to explore in terms of its profile  and identity and visitor offer. These potential opportunities were being pursued in concert with constant re-assessment of the city’s offer overall. Councillor Fitch, expressed concern  however, that statements appearing in the press appeared to indicate that the Council actively encouraged encampments within the city, this was unfortunate and residents in his ward  had expressed concern in respect of this matter. The Cabinet Member stressed that a number of options were being explored to ensure that all possibilities of maximising the city’s tourism offer were fully explored.

59.4    RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member agrees to the launch, consultation around and implementation of an eco-tourism strand of activity for Brighton and Hove.