Two very different projects came together in the calendar this past month. We were delighted to see two Destination Management Plans, developed with our partner Yellow Railroad, launched only days apart by two of our 2018 clients. The Islands’ Partnership (Isles of Scilly) and Visit Greenwich (for Woolwich) launched their respective plans with a bit of fanfare and a lot of pride. Exciting and ambitious plans both, they capture the value and potential of culture and heritage to transform place for visitors and residents alike.

The Isles of Scilly plan has to be bold, as tourism supports 85% of the island’s inhabitants. David Jackson, Executive Director of the Islands’ Partnership added: “Today’s launch marks a really significant moment for the islands. The Destination Management Plan… represents a genuinely exciting opportunity to trigger a real step-change in our industry and for Scilly to become a truly sustainable destination that’s economically resilient yet protective of its precious environment and unique sense of place.”

In Woolwich, and in good part centred around exciting cultural developments at the historic Royal Arsenal, we have worked with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Visit Greenwich, Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust and Greenwich + Docklands Festival over six months to create a plan that taps into the potential of the district, now accelerated by the impending arrival of Crossrail. That helps to explain the ambition to double the value of tourism by 2020, with the potential to generate over £35 million to the local economy and the creation of 900 new jobs. And they have great Nepalese food too. So next time you’re in London, head a little further east.

View CTConsults’ case study – Isles of Scilly – a destination management plan for the edge of England