Your local Area Tourism Partnership might be a great way to connect with local businesses and help to reinforce the message of accessibility in your area.
What is an Area Tourism Partnership (ATP)?
ATPs were set up across the country in 2005 to drive forward local tourism priorities for the development and marketing of tourism. Once they have agreed what commitments each partner will make, they produce a local Area Tourism Action Plan, monitoring its progress over time. This may be another opportunity for Access Panels to ensure that accessibility is first on the the agenda at the outset of planning and development in their local area.
As time has gone on, some partnerships are more active than others, yet the principle of the Area Tourism Partnerships in providing a link with the local private sector is a valuable one.
What does the Area Tourism Partnership do?
The remit of the area Tourism Partnership includes
Drawing up and overseeing the implementation of Area Tourism Partnership Plans that will set agreed priorities for the development and marketing of tourism.
Input to the national tourism strategy
Securing resources to carry out the Action plan
Acting as a link between public and private sectors
Acting as a vehicle to engage in industry.