​Dorset Destination Management Organisation

Dorset Destination Management Organisation recently held its first steering group meeting, with full representation from public and private sector from every corner of Dorset, the meeting was a useful and engaging discussion and starting point for the formation of a new Destination Management Organisation for Dorset.

Some of the key insights, firstly the context, tourism in Dorset is valued at £1.4bn, accounts for 29,880 FTE employees or 12% of the workforce.

Jason Freezer, Visit England, presented an update on the picture of DMOs and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) nationally and the importance of a “shared statement of intent” for all Destination Management Plans.

So what next for Dorset DMO… Dorset LEP have funded some research to be undertaken by the Tourism Company to look at how a new DMO could work alongside the existing structures within the county, “what can be done best at county level” and help formulate an action plan for Dorset.

In summary, it was an encouraging and useful discussion focused on the future and how the tourism industry can work together across the county, but as an addition to, not replacement for, the current destination management and marketing structures.

By Samantha Richardson