Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development incorporating the Destination Management Plan 2023-28 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Neville Evans, Portfolio Member for Leisure, Tourism and Maritime. The Plan sets out the Council’s ambitions for destination management over the next five years and takes account of both local and national strategies. It provides a strategy for managing all aspects of Anglesey as a destination which contribute to and influence the visitor experience and will ensure that the special qualities of the Island are at the heart of the tourism offer but will not be adversely impacted as a result. While Tourism is among the most important of Anglesey’s industries and a significant contributor to the local economy its effects need to be managed. It is considered that the Plan achieves this balance in welcoming the fact that Anglesey is a popular tourist destination whilst also seeking to address the potentially negative effects that can result from high numbers of visitors to the Island. Delivery of the Plan will be supported by an action plan and delivery group (the Destination Management Organisation) and the inclusion of local community stakeholders as well as the tourism industry and businesses in the delivery process is to be welcomed.

The Head of Regulation and Economic Development advised that although the Destination Management Plan is not a statutory document given the value of the tourism industry to the Island, it is a significant document for the Council. The pandemic brought additional pressures on the Island as a resource and sharpened the realisation that it must be managed more sustainably going forward which means maximising the benefits which tourism brings to the Island as a destination and place while minimising the impacts. Equally important is securing the buy-in of communities on the Island ensuring that they understand the value of the tourism sector locally and as the largest economic sector on Anglesey.

Councillor Dylan Rees, Chair of the Partnerships and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee provided a report back from the Committee’s 21 June, 2023 meeting which considered the Destination Management Plan. Questions and been asked about the robustness of the consultation process and how its output had influenced the revised plan. The Committee had asked why a Destination Management Plan is prepared and the way in which it aligns with the Council Plan and other strategic documents such as the Anglesey Town Centres Improvement Strategy. Members considered the risks and challenges in fully realising the plan and how its implementation would be monitored via the proposed Destination Management Organisation. Members also asked how the Council proposes to work effectively across services to manage the impacts and opportunities of visitors to the Island with Newborough and Llanddwyn Beach being cited as a case in point. Having considered these matters and the responses to them the Committee had resolved to recommend the Destination Management Plan for the Executive’s approval and had requested the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs forum to consider the propriety of programming an item on the impact of tourism on local communities for a future meeting of the Committee.

The Executive thanked Scrutiny for its feedback and highlighted the guiding principles and priorities set out in the report as the basis and reasons for the Destination Management Plan. Executive Members whilst acknowledging the importance of tourism to Anglesey recognised that such a plan is essential in maintaining a balance between encouraging visitors to appreciate and enjoy the Island’s special qualities and ensuring that those are not harmed as a result.

It was resolved to approve the new Destination Management Plan (2023-2028).