Libraries and leisure

Pushing tourism up the agenda has been one of the key priorities for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tourism and Recreation Group. The group was formed in response to the impact of the foot and mouth crisis, on the tourism industry in Hertfordshire and is made up of representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, accommodation providers, commercial tourism businesses, the county council and the districts. The aim of the group is to actively contribute to the economy of the county by promoting, supporting and developing the industry both internally and externally. This successful partnership has already resulted in £15 000 match funding from the East of England Development Agency to help us deliver the following activities:

• A familiarisation visit for twelve travel writers and group tour operators to Hertfordshire , they visited various tourist attractions, which has resulted in editorial in both Easyjet and Garuda Airlines in flight magazines, the Kuala Lumpar Star and several other travel trade papers
• The production of two editions of the Herts Holiday Times, a comic style journal with a print run of 100,000 aimed at 5 to 13 year olds, distributed through schools, libraries, district councils and health clinics. The Times promotes visitor attractions and cultural and leisure activities across the county and includes lots of competitions and puzzles which resulted in over 2500 competition entries for the first edition.
• A campaign of radio advertising / promotion in North London
• A Tourism Forum held in May at Knebworth House which attracted the attendance of the Minister for Tourism, Dr Kim Howells. This was a very successful event, other speakers included Tess Wright, Chief Executive at the East of England Tourist Board and Adam Bates, Head of Business Tourism at the British Tourist Authority.
• A tourism marquee, ‘Enjoy! Hertfordshire,’ at the County Show on 24/25 May at the County Showground in Redbourn. This will be a very active and lively marquee, Romans, Saxons and Tudors will all be involved in promoting Hertfordshire as a good visitor destination. Colleagues from Hertford Tourist Information Centre will be on hand giving advice on where to go and what to see in the county. There will be lots of entertainment for children, colouring competitions, badge making and free balloons and stickers. Come along and visit us at stand 106, look out for the blue and white striped marquee!