• What will my local DMP do?
Maximise and exploit joint working opportunities (marketing, visitor services and tourism development) where it makes clear sense to do so to achieve either greater benefit for visitors or more efficient use of resources.

• What will SWT be doing?
South West Tourism will be concentrating on what is most efficiently done at a regional level. It will represent regional interests and lobby on industry’s behalf, whilst advising DMO/Ps, regional and national bodies on issues affecting tourism. Importantly, it will also research trends and look to the future of tourism so that it can advise the industry on the kind of investment required to achieve success in the future.

• Who funds what?
Activity within each town will still be funded by the tourism office but new shared activity could qualify for regional funding through SWT.

• Why yet another change?
To ensure greatest impact of tourism services delivery is felt at the destination level.

• Do the new bodies still insist on ‘inspections’?
Yes. Poole will still insist on a national accreditation (QiT on behalf of VisitBritain or AA) and Bournemouth will still insist on either of these accreditations or its own inspection scheme.

• Who do I go to for a quality inspection?
Quality in Tourism and the AA or Bournemouth Tourism for the local scheme.

• Who will be doing marketing?
Both tourism offices will still undertake individual destination marketing but will also develop a shared marketing campaign. SWT will withdraw from direct marketing activities and support the delivery at the local level.

• Who will be doing overseas marketing?
This will still be undertaken by the overseas marketing group of the Dorset New Forest Tourism Partnership, in partnership with other DMO/P areas, if applicable, to obtain maximum impact of campaigns.

• Who will I go to for business advice on fire regs, funding, research, planning, etc?
Bournemouth & Poole Tourism Offices and SWT where appropriate.

• Who is responsible for improving roads, public toilets, public places etc?
This lies with the relevant service units of the local authorities but the Poole and Bournemouth Tourism Partnerships act as the formal trade voice to the Council on these issues thus ensuring that tourism input is heard.

• Who is going to lobby government on our behalf?
The new Poole Bournemouth DMP is intended to act as a voice for the area so will be able to act on behalf of local tourism businesses. SWT will also continue to provide this role as well for the region.

• Who is going to keep me updated on changes on government policy, regulations, licensing, scams, etc?
This service will still be part of the new SWT and where possible will also come from the local tourism offices as well

• Who do I go to with complaints about services to business?
These need to be referred to the respective tourism offices, or to SWT

• Who do I contact to find out more?
Either Graham Richardson (tourism@pooletourism.com) or Mark Smith (info@bournemouth.gov.uk)