Early bird discount for TMI “Hot Topic” debate available to British Destination members

The Tourism Management Institute “Hot Topic”

19^th May 2017 Sheffield Hallam University

The conference is aimed at you – the destination professionals, government officers, National Park and AONB officers, Town Centre Managers, consultants, rural attraction operators, food tourism specialists and accommodation providers.  Details, discounted travel, accommodation and early bird rates, from £95 for TMI members and £125 for partners (available until 2 May), can be booked via www.tmi.org.uk.

We will debate the issues around the often-overlooked sector of rural tourism in the UK. It comes at an important time; as Brexit negotiations begin to shape an alternative UK agricultural and farm diversification policy and as a Parliamentary Committee enquiry into rural tourism continues. The conference will highlight innovation in tourism practice in rural areas, share success stories in food tourism and discuss new rural accommodation trends.  The event hosts this year are Marketing Sheffield, proud of their status as a UK leader in the craft beer industry and as gateway to the Peak District and Sheffield Hallam University.

Plenary talks feature Kurt Janson, Director of the Tourism Alliance, Anthony Pickles, Head of Tourism Affairs at Visit Britain and Andy Tordoff, DEFRA, will highlight new funding opportunities for rural destinations available through the Rural Development Programme. New approaches to working with destinations and facilitating tourism in the National Parks will be presented by Lindsay Rae (Peak District), Mark Holroyd (New Forest NP) and Duncan Wise (Northumberland NP).  Andrew Keeling, leading hotels and accommodation sector expert, will discuss rural accommodation trends and editor of International Glamping Business, Stephanie Curtis-Raleigh, will be looking at the diversity and possibilities offered by the glamping market while Andy Woodward will showcase how working together can make a real difference.

Food tourism will be explored by Tom Naylor-Leyland, the man behind Malton’s ascent to the “food capital of Yorkshire” and by destination guru Roger Carter, currently undertaking a profile of best practice in food tourism overseas (for Visit Britain and DEFRA).  We will hear from Katie Read, Cumbria’s local “woman of Whiskey” and Beth MacLeod from Knockderry County House who will take us on her personal food and drink journey.

Major events are of course a key feature of re-energising tourism in the countryside and Peter Dodd, Marketing Director for Welcome to Yorkshire, will bring anecdotes and impact research from Yorkshire’s facilitation of international cycling events in recent years. Equally important in rural revival is the development of adventure tourism and work opportunities for young people which will be explored by Dave Jackson of the YMCA.

Afternoon workshops will allow delegates to further discuss and debate key issues around food tourism and rural accommodation.

Notes

The conference will be preceded by an evening of wine and beer tasting with expert talks concerning the role which both wine and beer production can have in destination diversification.  Tickets will be available via the website soon.

We are delighted to have New Mind E-Tourism Solutions as headline sponsor, supported by Acorn Tourism Consulting, Marketing Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and Quality in Tourism.

Early bird rates (to 2 May) for TMI members are £95, for members of Tourism Society, consultants Network, British Destinations, RTPI, HTF and ATCM £125 and non members are £135, all plus VAT.  Online booking is available via www.tmi.org.uk.

For more information visit www.tmi.org.uk or email nell@barringtonassociates.co.uk or call Nell Barrington on 07968 807022.