Issue - items at meetings - The Future Provision of Visitor Information Services

Presentation by the Head of Tourism and Leisure.

71.1         The Head of Tourism and Leisure and the Visitor Services Manager gave a presentation detailing the current provision of visitor information services and its successes and outlining how it was intended to build on those over the next decade. The Head of Tourism and Leisure explained that the city had always sought to adapt its offer to changing tastes in order to keep its offer fresh and exciting citing the “Bromettes” as a previous city attraction and citing how access to information about what the City had to offer had been brought up to date by use of social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and downloadable mobile phone apps. It was proposed to build on past successes and to provide the opportunity to “try something new”.

71.2    The Head of Tourism and Leisure stated that staff were to be commended for their professionalism and innovation in seeking to address reduced funding pro-actively and to maintain an updated service which was fit for purpose into the future. He set out the context of the changes proposed outlined the way forward that had been identified. The number of visitors to the city continued to increase year on year and the importance of reaching visitors where, when and how they wanted by working collaboratively with partners had been identified as a key factor for the city’s continued success. There were currently 100 volunteer greeters working across the city and the importance of using the local population as ambassadors for their city had also been identified as a vital component of the city’s unique offer. Volunteers would be highly visible and examples of the type of high visibility clothing proposed were indicated.

71.3    Overall it was proposed to:

-          Provide a network of Visitor Information Points (VIPs);

-          Provide on-street ambassadors; and

-          Provide an enhanced booking centre at the Brighton Centre Booking Office.

71.4    In answer to questions it was confirmed that although discussions regarding the location of VIPs were at an early stage a number of potential sites including Brighton Station, the Jubilee Library, the Pier, Old Market Arts Centre and Brighton Centre had been indentified.

71.5    Councillor Fitch stated that he had been notified that some greeters had expressed concern that their role would be reduced as a consequence of the proposals. Councillor Bowden, the Chair stated that this was not envisaged in fact, it was anticipated that their role would be enhanced.

71.6    Councillor Morgan enquired whether as fewer people used the postal service there had been a drop in the quantity of a mail received had decreased significantly. The Head of Tourism and Leisure stated that this had dropped but now remained static whilst other forms of communication e.g., email’s had increased significantly year on year.

71.7    Councillor C Theobald stated that it was important to continue to provide information from key sites, such as the Royal Pavilion. She sought clarification regarding the impact of the proposals for those staff immediately affected by them. The Head of Tourism and Leisure stated that it was not envisaged that there would be any compulsory redundancies as a result of the changes proposed.

71.8    Councillor Janio stated that whilst a number of potential visitors accessed information via the internet, either via e mail or social media sites it was important to recognise that not everyone did, a number of people preferred to speak to some one when making arrangements prior to visiting the city. This should not be lost sight of.

71.9    Councillor Smith stated that he considered that it was important to continue to maintain and staff a central information point.

71.10  Councillor Brown stated that whilst recognising discussions were at an early stage she considered that Brighton Station would make an excellent location for a VIP. The Chair, Councillor Bowden was in agreement stating that option and others would be actively pursued.

71.11  RESOLVED – That the presentation be received and the position noted.