Fife Tourism Partnership – going from strength to strength
Fife Tourism Partnership launched in March this year. Working together to increase the value of tourism, its board of public and private sector partners in Fife is chaired by Debbie Taylor, General Manager of the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews.
Debbie's commitment to the Partnership is refreshing and her positive approach means it has achieved much in its short life time. Not only is the partnership part way through a review of the tourism strategy, it has commissioned a telephone survey in order to identify the business needs of the tourism sector in Fife. The findings from this research will now be taken forward and delivered through partners such as Scottish Enterprise, Business Gateway as well as St Andrews Skills Academy and other training organisations.
Initial activity of the Partnership has concentrated on setting up its three tiered structure, the aim of this structure is to engage with all businesses across Fife.
At the strategic level an Executive Board has been created with a remit to set the priorities for tourism in Fife, including a review of the Fife Tourism Strategy. Tourism businesses can contribute to the review through the website forum at www.tourismnetfife.com.
Secondly is the establishment of six Local Tourist Associations of which five are now in place. The expectation is that these groups will develop and evolve organically in relation to local circumstances and needs and would bid for support from the Fife Tourism Partnership for developing local visitor information.
Thirdly is the creation of a Fife Tourism Business Network. This aims to develop networking and business development activities for all Fife tourism businesses through a dedicated business-to-business website www.tourismnetfife.com. The website will also provide event information, tourism news and downloadable resources, with tourism forums enabling businesses to comment on local and Fife wide issues.
Phase two of www.tourismnetfife.com will see an area where businesses can post a new business and/or collaborative idea with interested parties providing their details. This type of engagement or tactical business development is much needed in the current economic climate and the Partnership encourages all tourism based businesses in Fife to register.
Once registered, businesses are allocated to the relevant Local Tourist Association with access to agendas and minutes from meetings. They can then upload their own news items; get involved in the discussion forums and post comments and opinions.
