Sponsored by
City to hang on to Cambridge's tourism coattails
A STRATEGY which sought to boost tourism in Peterborough by "piggy-backing" on the success of neighbouring Cambridge was pilloried in September but now looks set to go ahead.
A STRATEGY which sought to boost tourism in Peterborough by "piggy-backing" on the success of neighbouring Cambridge was pilloried in September but now looks set to go ahead.After the Peterborough Regional Economic Partnership (PREP) – a group established by the East of England Development Agency – concluded that a Peterborough tourism drive in 2005 was unsuccessful, it recommended that the city should be part of an overarching Cambridgeshire strategy – with Cambridge as the magnet to attract visitors.
At a town hall meeting on September 19, the idea was lambasted by city councillors who said Peterborough was worthy of a standalone strategy.
In the intervening period, their comments were vindicated, as Peterborough Museum celebrated a record-breaking number of visitors and Central Park came second in a poll of favourite east of England destinations.
However, opponents have gradually warmed to the idea, following assurances from PREP that Peterborough's attractions, ranging from Flag Fen to Queensgate, and Railworld to Burghley House, will play a pivotal role in their plans.
And on Monday, Peterborough City Council's cabinet is expected to formally ratify the draft Greater Cambridge and Peterborough Tourism Strategy.
WHAT do you think of the decision? Is the council right to bask in Cambridge's glory, or should the city be going it alone? Share your views by commenting below.
A cabinet report said: "While Cambridge is an important asset, Peterborough and the rest of Cambridgeshire are less well-known and visited.
"A sustainable tourism strategy for the area is dependent on a broader sub-regional offer that encompasses other attractions around Cambridge, including the cathedrals of Peterborough and Ely."
Today, cabinet member for community services Councillor Matthew Lee said the strategy would enable Peterborough "to exploit the very significant leverage from Cambridge's global reputation".
Cllr Lee added: "We estimate that the economic benefit of tourism to Peterborough is more than 171 million, with almost equal contributions coming from day visitors and staying visitors.
"While we are naturally proud of Peterborough's many tourist attraction, there is an undeniable benefit to be obtained from linking to other well- known centres in the region such as Cambridge, which is a top-10 destination for overseas visitors."
Cabinet member for environment and community safety Cllr Graham Murphy, who criticised the tourism strategy at the September 19 community development scrutiny panel meeting, said: "I look forward to a debate on Monday, when cabinet will look at what has been proposed."
Community development scrutiny panel chairman Cllr David Over said: "Peterborough offers something very different from the colleges of Cambridge and the strategy will tap into that."
Panel member Cllr Bella Saltmarsh added: "We have been told that Peterborough will be properly promoted, but there are still concerns that the city could be seen as a subsidiary of Cambridge."
The cabinet will meet in the Bourges and Viersen rooms town hall, at 10am.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.