The Area Tourism Partnership (ATP) is responsible for developing and implementing a partnership plan to take the region’s tourism industry forward over the next few years. It meets six times a year throughout Ayrshire & Arran.

Administration/secretarial support will be provided by the local VisitScotland Prestwick Network Office including arranging meetings, agenda, minutes and papers.

Roles and Remit

• Drawing up and overseeing the implementation of the Area Tourism Partnership Plan that will set agreed priorities for the development and marketing of tourism.
• Input to the national tourism strategy and review of local alignment.
• Securing resources to ensure effective delivery of the Area Tourism Partnership Plan
• Acting, where appropriate, as a lobbying body to further the interests of local tourism, hospitality and leisure industries.
• Acting as a link between public and private sectors
• Acting as a vehicle to engage the industry

The ATP is made up of a cross section of public and private sector partners including tourism businesses plus representatives from local authorities, the enterprise networks, VisitScotland and other public bodies with local interests.

Membership for 2006 – 2008

• Chair, Bob Leitch, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce
• Vice Chair, Councillor Eric Ross, East Ayrshire Council
• North Ayrshire Council
• South Ayrshire Council
• Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire (representing also Argyll & Isles Enterprise)
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Ayrshire & Arran Chamber of Tourism Forum
• Area Director VisitScotland
• Stewart Selbie, Westin Turnberry Resort
• Carolyn Elder, Largs Yacht Havens
• Glenn Wedlock, Prestwick Airport
• Alastair Dobson, Taste of Arran
• Malcolm Simpson, Gailes Restaurant & Hotel

The partnership will hold a tourism conference in the Spring of 2007 and will include guest speakers, presentations and networking opportunity.

Partnership Plan
A partnership plan for the area for 2006 - 2009 is currently being developed through extensive consultation with the tourism industry (3 workshops were held at the end of last year). The partnership plan will be agreed by October and communicated in a future e-update.

For further information please contact Sandi Hellowell, Strategy & Partnership Executive, Email: sandi.hellowell@visitscotland.com or Catriona Mackie, Area Director, Catriona.Mackie@visitscotland.com