Find out more about how we deliver and organise the English Riviera Destination Management Plan.
The Destination Management Group (DMG) has a critical role in bringing the different organisations and tourism businesses together to create an integrated collaborative approach to development, marketing, and sustainable management of the English Riviera. Places that do tourism ‘well’ are joined up in their ambition and approach – a fact highlighted in the recent independent De Bois review of DMOs and further reinforced locally by the Torbay Story.
The English Riviera should therefore continue with its approach to destination management, with the DMG having collective responsibility for implementing the new Destination Management Plan, making best use of existing resources, working together in partnership, and attracting further investment where needed to deliver the DMP's objectives. There are some clear roles and responsibilities for the different DMG partners, and for this plan to be effectively implemented public services, operational leads and frontline tourism businesses should also be involved – the approach to take with membership is an early delivery task of the DMG to take this plan forward.
The DMG is working well and with the fresh impetus and focus of this plan, the DMG should be the main body for delivery and monitoring progress. The mix of private and public sector partners is representative of the sector and while membership should be continually reviewed, the DMG should not grow too big and unmanageable. Within the partnership different organisations will lead on priorities relevant to their specialist knowledge and capabilities for example:
It is also important to recognise that the DMG and its members are giving their time in addition to their ‘day job’ and there are demands arising from the DMP which need a resourced executive to take them forward (secretariat support is currently provided by TDA). This document clearly sets out who is responsible for different priorities and actions reflects the specialism, knowledge, and capabilities of the DMG partners (subject to change).
Includes review of terms of reference, membership, responsibilities of actions, progress monitoring via data dashboard and resourcing plans.
The DMP provides a strategic approach to developing the destination over the next eight years. In some cases, the immediate next steps necessitate further work such as feasibility studies or development plans, and the DMP provides the template against which future investment can be evaluated. ‘Quick wins’ will be identified by partners and detailed planning will identify specific resource requirements over and above existing allocations.
Delivery may require re-allocation, re-focussing of existing resources or new funding. Having a detailed DMP will support funding bids from Government or other agencies. The UK Government published its Tourism Recovery Plan in June 2021 and will identify the support available at business, destination, and national level. While the overall headline budgets are substantial, the funds identified in many cases cover a range of economic sectors and the whole of England. Nonetheless for a destination with a clear plan and a built-in commitment to partnership working, the following in particular offer opportunities for the English Riviera:
Note: Resource requirements within this DMP are estimated and further detailed review is required to determine the extent to which costs can be met from existing resources or if new funding needs to be secured. Delivery arrangements and lead organisations are subject to change and re-allocation by DMG partners.