To be introduced by the Chairman.

Key Objectives:

·         How do we promote Windsor to the World?

·         How do we get day visitors to stay longer?

·         How do we get visitors to spend more money?

·         How do we get visitors to stay more nights in the borough?

The Chairman explained that the Forum needed to give the Visitor Manager some key objectives for the new Visitor Management Strategy.  It was noted that the Chairman wanted to change the name to ‘Tourism Strategy’ but that a name change would need to go via the Leader of the Council.

The Chairman went onto explain that the Council wanted to attract people to Windsor to stay longer and spend more money.  It was noted that the average tourist stayed approximately three hours and it was questioned how the Council could promote Windsor to the world and encourage people to the Royal Borough as a ‘destination’.  The Chairman explained that ideas would be welcomed as to how the Council could encourage day visitors to stay longer, how the Council could encourage visitors to spend more money and also how they could be encouraged to stay more nights in the Royal Borough.

The Chairman opened up the floor to suggestions:

Ø  The Vice-Chair stated that if the Council and local businesses could work together to produce itineraries to encourage people to stay longer that would be very helpful.

Ø  It was noted that Windsor Castle were looking to help promote festival packages but that they would need to put out next years programme this year which was a little difficult due to time constraints.  The Chairman agreed that joined up thinking was needed and that itineraries would definitely help encourage visitors to stay longer in the Royal Borough. 

Ø  Coach tour operators were felt to be key to encouraging visitors to stay longer and that they needed to speak to their customers to explain there was lots to do in the Royal Borough.  It was felt that the Council needed to understand what visitors wanted when they came to the Royal Borough. 

Ø  It was felt that Windsor was currently used a stepping Stone to places such as Stone Henge.  It was suggested that Windsor Castle and Legoland considered producing a combo ticket to help make the attractions more cost friendly. 

Ø  It was suggested that the biggest market could be the corporate market and that the Council needed to start discussions with top restaurants to help attract business.  It was suggested that discussions with top end supermarkets could also be started e.g. Waitrose who organised trips for their partners where they spent full days in a single destination. 

Ø  It was suggested that the Council needed to on a higher quality visit.

Ø  It was suggested that the Council and local businesses needed to be more proactive rather than reactive and look at the Royal Borough as a whole rather than promoting specific areas.

Ø  It was suggested that the Council needed to target the international high end market to encourage people to visit Windsor Caste and possibly spend money on souvenirs. 

The Chairman suggested setting up a working party with French Brothers, and a few local big companies to discuss the subject of the corporate market which was agreed.  It was also suggested that stakeholder meetings took place so the Visitor Manager could meet people individually. 

It was noted that further ideas / suggestions could be emailed directly to the Visitor Manager julia.white@rbwm.gov.uk