Conference to address management
of tourism in Oxford and Oxfordshire
Mon 23 Feb, 2004
More than 70 representatives of tourist organisations from across Oxfordshire
will gather at Eynsham Hall, near Witney, on Friday 27 February for the
2004 Oxfordshire Tourism Conference. The conference has been organised
by Oxford Inspires, Oxfordshire’s new cultural development agency,
in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council.
Cllr Maureen Christian, who holds the portfolio for tourism and culture
in the City Council, said: “Recent figures show that, outside London,
Oxford was the UK’s fifth most stayed-in venue by overseas visitors
in 2002. In the same year, visitors to Oxford spent around £410
million. The City Council has already invested strongly in promoting tourism
and supporting the local tourist industry. But if we are to sustain our
incredible popularity with visitors, we have to continually improve the
experience we offer them, working in partnership with other organisations
in the city and county”.
Presentations and discussion groups at the conference will focus on the
management and sustainability of tourism in Oxford and Oxfordshire, visitor
perceptions of the City and County, and tourism and festival culture.
Among a distinguished line-up of speakers will be the international tourism
expert, Professor Victor Middleton, the Travel Editor of the Mail on Sunday,
Frank Barrett, and senior representatives of the tourism industry and
local government.
Cllr Neil Fawcett, Executive Member for Learning and Culture on Oxfordshire
County Council, said: “An important legacy of the county’s
Capital of Culture bid has been to focus attention on the need for a more
co-operative and strategic approach to tourism development. The County
Council supports the development of tourism in a sensitive way, which
does not endanger the county’s natural and cultural assets and positively
involves Oxfordshire people. We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership
with other local authorities and the tourism industry to achieve shared
goals”.
Oxford Inspires, which put together the Capital of Culture bid, continues
to promote the development of tourism in its new role as a cultural development
agency for Oxford and Oxfordshire. The organisation’s Chief Executive,
Robert Hutchison, said: “In this new phase of Oxford Inspires’
existence, we are delighted to be organising a conference on an industry
which is of such vital importance to the City and County of Oxford. With
a range of distinguished speakers and a stimulating programme, we hope
the day will have a major impact on the future development of tourism
in Oxford and Oxfordshire”.
Read
the report from the conference
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