Destination Management Plan
Background
The English Riviera Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2017-2021 Delivering a Prosperous and Healthy Torbay, replaces the previous Tourism Strategy ‘Turning the Tide’ and aims to provide a shared approach between key stakeholders to effectively manage tourism for the whole destination.
Focussing on developing a successful visitor economy, the DMP presents clear priorities and actions for the different stakeholders involved to take the destination forward. The Plan aligns collaborative effort, reducing duplication and maximising local investment.
Documents
Destination Management Plan – Evidence Base
In 2019, TDA commissioned an accommodation audit and produced an overview summary of serviced accommodation in Torbay. The summary document headlines the amount of serviced accommodation in Torbay, using information from the audit and providing a wider view by comparing Torbay’s position with other UK coastal destinations.
Torbay Accommodation Audit 2019
Summary – Serviced Accomodation in Torbay 2019
Destination Management Group
To take the DMP forward, the new Destination Management Group (DMG) formed in June 2018 has a joined-up approach for tourism, working in partnership for the destination with the shared vision to develop the English Riviera’s visitor economy.
The current Chair of the Destination Management Group is Lynn Stephens – South Devon College. Carolyn Custerson represents the ERBID Company on the DMG and was a previous chair.
The DMG collectively drives the DMP forward to ensure the Plan’s overall objective is achieved, specifically to:
- Increase year round growth in visitor numbers (UK and International)
- Extend the current season beyond the school holidays
- Attract new visitors (UK and International)
- Increase visitor spend
- Attract investment and reinvestment
- Ensuring sustainable delivery of marketing activity for the destination
- Raise level of skills in the sector
Partnership
By working in partnership and maximising linkages between partners, the DMG will work to achieve the Plan’s outcomes through a series of targeted actions and priorities.
The DMG are the custodians of the destination, setting out how we can respond to challenges facing industry and responding to and influencing government policy.
The DMG is a strategic collective group with a shared vision and interest in the management of the destination to develop the visitor economy. The group has no executive powers, other than those responsibilities designated in the Plan.
Members of the DMG bring organisations together across all sectors, representing the whole destination to effectively develop and promote the English Riviera. The leading partner organisations are:
Meetings
The DMG meet on a quarterly basis, where actions and progress will be discussed. The Chairperson is reviewed annually, elected by partners and is independent of Torbay Council.