Recommendations
Put East of England on the map
1. Identify key international markets for business tourism in conjunction with the inward investment agencies and design a targeted programme of activity in these markets.
2. Advocate that the conference centre at Napier Park is one of the conference facilities that is fast tracked in preparation for London 2012
3. Commit to hosting a visiting international journalist programme to commence in 2008 and run through to 2012
4. Position the area as ideal for UK families during the Olympics
Skills improvement and Capacity Building
1. Identify Olympics related tourism priority training needs for Bedfordshire and Luton
2. Develop a version of the “On Your Marks” programmes for tourism in conjunction with EEDA, LSC etc.
3. Commit to training at least 200 people per annum (2007-2012) on customer care
4. Work with the university to capitalise on existing expertise in media training
5. Commit to providing 400 volunteers to the Olympic programme and provide them with skill development programmes.
Engagement in Culture
1. Work with EEDA on the major events strategy
2. Identify three major events that Bedfordshire and Luton will bid for by 2012
3. Agree which events will be the areas contributions to the region’s cultural programme for the Olympics
4. Promote the National Centre for Carnival Arts as a flagship venue and coordinator of the cultural programme
5. Promote Luton as the Olympic “party town” for the area with a programme to run during the Olympics
Stimulate improvements in infrastructure
1. Audit all transport gateways in the area for the quality of welcome
2. Identify a 5-year programme of improvements and carry these out
3. Create a travel information facility for websites that features all forms of transport.
4. Commit to welcome points at all transport gateways during the Olympics
