The first e-survey of regional tourism businesses in the North East has highlighted the growing importance of the internet to the visitor economy with

Taken from Local Gov.co.uk

The first e-survey of regional tourism businesses in the North East has highlighted the growing importance of the internet to the visitor economy with over 80% of those questioned operating their own website. More than 600 tourism businesses took part in the survey (401 telephone and 255 online) designed to identify levels of ICT and e-business use in the region following the introduction of the Desti.ne, North East England’s e-business platform by One NorthEast. A total of 68% of telephone respondents said that e-business had helped boost business performance in the last three years and less than 20% felt that e-business was not relevant to them. The results showed there are still opportunities to raise awareness and give guidance on internet security and software and some 40% felt they did not have all the skills needed to make best use of e-business opportunities. The survey also highlighted significant variations between North East sub-regions in the percentage of businesses with their own website offering an online booking service. Tees Valley has the highest share of businesses offering online services at 48%; followed by County Durham with 40% and Tyne and Wear with 34% while. Northumberland has the lowest proportion at just 12%. One NorthEast has already said it will repeat the survey over the next three years to measure the region’s capability and assess the impact the introduction of Desti.ne has had. Louise Davis, head of tourism at One NorthEast said: “It is encouraging to see that a significant number of tourism businesses are already switched on to the potential of e-business. “UK residents spent £1.8bn on holidays over the internet in 2006, up 65% since 2003 and this figure is growing all the time. In an increasingly competitive market place it is vital that the region is well represented online.


The first e-survey of regional tourism businesses in the North East has highlighted the growing importance of the internet to the visitor economy with over 80% of those questioned operating their own website. More than 600 tourism businesses took part in the survey (401 telephone and 255 online) designed to identify levels of ICT and e-business use in the region following the introduction of the Desti.ne, North East England’s e-business platform by One NorthEast. A total of 68% of telephone respondents said that e-business had helped boost business performance in the last three years and less than 20% felt that e-business was not relevant to them. The results showed there are still opportunities to raise awareness and give guidance on internet security and software and some 40% felt they did not have all the skills needed to make best use of e-business opportunities. The survey also highlighted significant variations between North East sub-regions in the percentage of businesses with their own website offering an online booking service. Tees Valley has the highest share of businesses offering online services at 48%; followed by County Durham with 40% and Tyne and Wear with 34% while. Northumberland has the lowest proportion at just 12%. One NorthEast has already said it will repeat the survey over the next three years to measure the region’s capability and assess the impact the introduction of Desti.ne has had. Louise Davis, head of tourism at One NorthEast said: “It is encouraging to see that a significant number of tourism businesses are already switched on to the potential of e-business. “UK residents spent £1.8bn on holidays over the internet in 2006, up 65% since 2003 and this figure is growing all the time. In an increasingly competitive market place it is vital that the region is well represented online.


Northumberland County Council does not just fail its people it also fails its businesses!

Taken from Northumberland Gazette

By COUN ROGER STYRING
Coun Roger Styring, the new leader of Alnwick District Council puts the case for Option 2 (two unitary authorities for Northumberland) in the debate over possible local government reorganisation.
RURAL Northumberland and South East Northumberland have very diverse communities and different needs and priorities.We all know that in the rural part of the county, affordable housing, the condition of the roads and footpaths and access to services and facilities are some of our main concerns.Having two new, strong all-purpose councils – one covering rural Northumberland and the other covering the more urban south east of the county will enable us to concentrate on our own priorities, needs and challenges.This will also prevent the tensions in resources and funding between the rural and urban parts of Northumberland which have always led to compromise. We have had enough of the 'one-size – fits all' approach.If the seven current councils are restructured into two, the new councils will each have a leader, elected by residents. This is the strongest leadership model in contrast to the alternative proposed by Northumberland County Council – a leader chosen by a political group of fellow councillors.It is important to have a council with a strong voice and financial muscle. Under our proposals, Northumberland would have two strong, cost-effective councils that are able to speak up and fight for the challenges ahead.The Rural Northumberland Council will have an executive, appointed on merit by the leader, each person being responsible for both a priority issue and a geographical area. This will ensure that at the top table of the authority, every part of the new council area will have representation and
local accountability, in contrast to the present set up at the county council in which the rural part of the county is hardly represented on the executive.We have proposed a smaller number of councillors than at present, however they will be much more visible and have a much higher profile as leaders, supporting their communities.Our proposals for bringing decision making closer to communities will be innovative and forward thinking. The establishment of 14 community boards based on different communities within rural Northumberland, with real decision-making powers, budgetary responsibilities and the ability to hold the council to account, will be significant. They will build upon our existing strong networks of local development trusts and town and parish councils.In such a large area it is most important that our proposals are shaped around the requirements of local people.
Last Updated: 27 May 2007