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The Future of Tourism in Post-Brexit Britain Exploring Opportunities and Meeting Challenges at National and Local Levels

Tuesday 21st February 2017  Central London Time: 10:15am — 4:30pm
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Key Speakers

 Deirdre Wells OBE, Chief Executive, UKinbound

Professor Adam Blake, Professor of Economics & Econometrics, Faculty of Management, Bournemouth University

Overview

Despite Britain’s recent decision to leave the EU, tourism continues to be a key component of economic growth in the UK, being directly responsible for 1.6 million jobs across the country. According to latest statistics from the ONS, the number of visitors to the UK by overseas residents in August 2016 was 3.8 million, an increase of 2% when compared with August 2015. Overseas residents spent £2.6 billion in the UK during their visits, an increase of 4% compared to figures of the previous year. These figures have been linked to the fall in the pound following the referendum, which has made holidays in the UK cheaper for overseas visitors.

Last year was record-breaking, with tourism generating over £62 billion in Gross Value Added revenue to the British economy. Moreover, the rate of growth in visits to many regions within the country was faster than in London. However, with more than 50% of international visitor spending still in London and with Brexit reshaping the landscape, creating new opportunities in the short-term and challenges in the long-term depending on the agreement with EU, there is still more to be done to create balance in the sector and boost growth equally across the whole country.

Responding to these emerging challenges and opportunities, in August 2016 the Government published the ‘Tourism Action Plan’, a report setting out the Government’s next steps to make tourism more internationally competitive and resilient post-Brexit, while ensuring that its growth delivers for everyone.

As such, the action plan focuses on the following five areas:

• The tourism landscape: strengthening co-ordination and collaboration
• Skills: boosting apprenticeships and attracting more people to careers in tourism
• Common sense regulation: examining the scope for deregulation
• Transport: making it easier for visitors to explore by rail, bus and coach
• A GREAT Welcome: driving continuous improvements in our visa service

With local authorities playing a key role in the visitor economy due to its devolved nature, there is a need to ensure the way forward for local tourism to take full advantage of the benefits the country has to offer.

This very timely symposium is an invaluable opportunity for local authorities, tourism organisations and regional economic development agencies to examine the national strategy assess the post-Brexit tourism landscape and consider how to best deliver lasting tourism across the UK.

Delegates will:

• Assess the national outlook of tourism in post-Brexit Britain
• Explore new opportunities and ways to overcome new challenges
• Discuss funding allocations and new apprenticeship schemes to support small business
• Consider the regulatory framework and discuss the importance of commonsense regulation
• Evaluate the GREAT Welcome Campaign and explore ways to attract new tourists from key markets
• Examine the contribution of local councils in boosting tourism, developing local leadership and encouraging local entrepreneurship
• Participate in interactive discussions with leading practitioners and share best practice

Programme

Who Should Attend?

The Festival of Enterprise runs from 16-18 November, with themed events taking place each day across BU’s Talbot and Lansdowne campuses.  You can book for just one or for all of the events via the Register button.

Designed to inspire innovation and creativity for local businesses, BU students and staff, the Festival of Enterprise brings together speakers from a range of business fields. Featuring collaborations with the likes of Matt Desmier – Bournemouth’s go-to guy on the digital creative scene – and Richard Dolan, the Innovation Lead for the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group.

Tickets are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. All events are free and everyone is welcome – bring ideas, the coffee is provided…

#BUEnterprise

Wednesday 16 November

The Game Changer Reloaded – Session 1
9am – 3pm: Fusion Building, Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University and NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group present The Game Changer Reloaded, promoting innovation and collaboration across Dorset. Join Richard Dolan, Dr Phil Richardson and Professor Jim Roach and a diverse collection of speakers to learn more about the art of the possible and the power of innovation to transform health services within the region.

The Game Changer Reloaded – Session 2
3.15 – 4.15pm: Fusion Building, Bournemouth University
Share ideas, brainstorm projects, make new contacts and develop future collaborations in this informal but engaging enterprise event. Benefit from the thoughts and experience of local business talent to enhance your entrepreneurial plans or develop research ideas ahead of applying for external funding.

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Thursday 17 November

Business Innovation Workshops – Event 1: The Google online marketing challenge – your opportunity to take part!
9 – 11am: Executive Business Centre, Bournemouth University
BU’s Dr Philip Alford and Ben Swatridge of PPC Active lead a short workshop on pay-per-click advertising, featuring a mix of presentation and interactive discussion. Along with a comprehensive introduction to Google AdWords and an overview of the benefits to small businesses, you’ll learn about BU’s participation in The Google Online Marketing Challenge and find out about opportunities to be involved.

Business Innovation Workshops – Event 2: Cyber Security – Why you shouldn’t pay the ransom
11am – 1pm: Executive Business Centre, Bournemouth University

Cyber-crime is a growing problem for organisations worldwide, with businesses facing serious threats from hackers and data protection breaches. Join BU’s Cyber Security Unit to discover how to manage cyber risk and data protection, and hear experts discuss and share information on emerging threats which are now hitting smaller businesses, such as Ransomware, where online extortionists encrypt data on a victim’s computer and then demand a fee for unlocking it.

The workshop is aimed at owners or managers of small businesses. It presents a unique opportunity to gain practical tips for managing cyber threats, with an understanding of what needs to be considered  in deciding whether to pay a ‘Ransom’.

The event is led by Dr Christopher Richardson, the head of the Bournemouth University Cyber Security Unit (BUCSU), working to support greater awareness, skill training and expertise in cyber security.

Business Innovation Workshops – Event 3: Business consultancy pop-up shop
9.30am – 2.30pm: Executive Business Centre, Bournemouth University
Book a morning taster session with one of our experts to discuss your business and marketing challenges, enter a competition to win a free bespoke consultancy session and network over coffee with colleagues from other small and medium-sized enterprises.
Spend the afternoon in a series of quick-fire talks on areas including finance, digital marketing, leadership and dispute resolution. Delivered in an engaging, informal way these short sessions will make you better informed of key business areas – enabling you to stay one step ahead.
Matt Desmier/Think Create Do
She Started It film screening and discussion
Doors open at 5pm, screening at 6pm: Lees Lecture Theatre, Bournemouth University
She Started It is a feature-length documentary following five passionate, trailblazing young women over two years as they pitch their tech start-ups to VCs, build teams, bring products to market, fail and start again. Presented by Matt Desmier and followed by a panel discussion, it provides a unique view of what it takes to be a tech entrepreneur while exposing the structural realities women face as they become entrepreneurs.

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Friday 18 Novemeber

That’s The Way To Do It: 2
9.30am-5.30pm: Executive Business Centre, Bournemouth University
There’s no doubt that for many businesses, the creative and digital economy is a confusing beast. The positive impact it can have on business growth is irrefutable, yet knowing where to start, who to speak with and what to speak about is a little less obvious. Matt Desmier of Think Create Do presents another terrific line-up of speakers, each drawn from the renowned local creative and digital sector.

Please note that before placing an order, you will be asked to agree to Bournemouth University’s terms and conditions (see below). Please read these terms carefully and make sure you understand them before ordering any Products.

Bournemouth University’s Online Event Terms and Conditions

Very proud of Richard Ward becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality

Duncan Light at the World Dracula Congress

Dr Duncan Light recently attended the 4^th World Dracula Congress was held at Trinity College, Dublin in October.  This brought together academics and fans interested in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Gothic literature, and the wider role of vampires within popular culture.  For more than 10 years Duncan has been researching ‘Dracula tourism’ in Romania and his book The Dracula Dilemma: Tourism, Identity and the State in Romania was republished by Routledge in 2016. His paper was entitled ‘Travel and Tourism in Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ and explored themes of tourism in the novel itself. He proposed that tourism offered a unique lens through which to examine many of the themes in Dracula. He argued that the novel was written at a time when tourism was an increasingly common practice in Victorian Britain so that many forms of contemporary tourism could be identified in the novel. Moreover, Bram Stoker used tourism as a way of underlining the modernity of late 19^th century Britain.  Duncan was also invited by an Austrian film production company to participate in a forthcoming documentary about Dracula tourism.