Threat to close tourism offices ‘short-sighted’

AS the future of East Hampshire's Tourist Information Centre's (TIC) comes under the financial microscope, concern has been expressed over the wisdom of possible closure. The warning against adopting "a short-sighted policy in pursuit of short-term gain" comes from the voluntary members of East Hampshire's Tourism and Marketing Partnership (EHTMP), who are calling for a full public debate on the matter. Responsible for nearly two decades for supporting officers and members of East Hampshire District Council in the promotion of tourism in the area, they have written to leader of the council, Ferris Cowper, registering "strong concern" at the apparent regional trend towards questioning the value of TICs in a period of increased restraint in Council spending. The letter stated: "It is is our belief that to withdraw or diminish support for the work of these centres would be short-sighted. "The resource they represent, in particular the expertise of their staff, has always been central to the enlightened council-led activity which we have sought to support and develop in the interest of the community." Run by Tourism South East but supported financially by EHDC, there are currently two TICs in East Hampshire – one in Alton, the other in Petersfield. Both are considered to be under threat. EHDC has recently carried out a review of TIC provision in the district, the findings of which were due to be debated at Wednesday's (June 6) Cabinet. However, according to EHDC economic development and tourism manager Mike Gibbs, it now appears more work has to be done on the review and so the debate, along with the final decision on the future of the TICs, has been deferred until the autumn. It may be yet another stay of execution for Alton and Petersfield TICs but, if the Tourism and Marketing Partnership has its way, it could provide an opportunity to swing the balance. In the letter to Ferris Cowper, signed by chairman Robina Talbot-Ponsonby on behalf of the 10- strong committee, members draw attention to the role of Alton TIC in the development of a successful programme of town centre events. The TIC, they say, has been "a crucial component in the web of day-to-day work on the ground which translates these initiatives into sustainable, popular and economically productive activity." In recognising that many of the benefits of the TICs can be overlooked and may be difficult to quantify, the EHTMP is keen to ensure that reviewers give weight to: l The benefit of tourism to the local economy is in excess of £150m per annum l Tourist information services are not just a benefit to visitors but are an important resource for local tax payers and electors l The public face of Alton and Petersfield, and of East Hampshire in general, would be diminished by not having such a focal point for the welcome of visitors and for the support of many individuals and societies in the local community l That public face should be "engagingly human" and backed by a real knowledge and understanding of the area l The local knowledge of staff and its ready accessibility is a valuable 'hidden' resource for many local businesses. In the opinion of the EHTMP it is "too easy to underestimate the contribution such facilities make to the cohesiveness of a town and its surrounding area, at a time of increasing concern over social fragmentation in many parts of the country." Mrs Talbot-Ponsonby pointed out: "Members of our group can recall very well the blight on tourism activity experienced during the foot and mouth crisis and the value of such local agencies in working to alleviate its effects on rural businesses." If the decision is taken to shift the balance of responsibility for funding away from the community in general and towards the more direct beneficiaries of tourism activity, then EHTMP believes this shift should take the form of a "managed transition rather than an abrupt dislocation". The latter, it is believed, would lead to "the loss of resources and expertise – difficult and expensive to re-establish." With other authorities following the "short-sighted policy" route, Tourism and Marketing Partnership members believe that if EHDC has the courage it could take the opposite approach and exploit a competitive advantage in its tourism activity, which would result in clear benefits for the community and its economic health. Critically, while Petersfield is set to become the hub of the west end of the proposed South Downs National Park, members believe that both Alton and Petersfield TICs will be key in the support of local businesses in the run-up to and during the 2012 Olympics. And this, they believe, could pot them gold!