From The Holderness Gazette: Withernsea Tourist Information Centre is set for a bright future, with plans to re-locate the centre in Withernsea Lighthouse from Easter 2010.

The privately-run lighthouse museum’s board of trustees has agreed the move and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet is expected to give its backing to the proposal at its next meeting on Tuesday, March 16.

The council will draw up a partnership agreement with the Lighthouse trustees and the new-look TIC will feature a tourist information desk staffed at busy periods from Easter to September such as Bank Holiday weekends, school holidays and when key events are taking place in the town.

East Riding of Yorkshire Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection, said:“The report to the cabinet says we will continue to provide the virtual tourist information centre and touch screen kiosks. In addition, we have listened and we recognise that personal contact is perceived to be important by people.

“We are enhancing the tourism services by joining in partnership with two popular local attractions, Withernsea Lighthouse and Hornsea Museum and we are looking forward to working with them.”

Cllr Evison said although Visit Hull and East Yorkshire- VHEY – has been seconded to look after tourism services, as the ERYC’s portfolio holder, local opinion is important to her.

And, she is hopeful the new tourist information provision will also benefit local businesses.

The proposed relocation follows a pilot exercise last summer when an electronic kiosk was given a trial in Withernsea Leisure Centre.

The trial has been evaluated and is set to continue for the forthcoming season, subject to some adaptations and approval by the ERYC cabinet.

Information points located on the foreshore, which were also part of the trial, are also recommended to continue. Foreshore staff were trained as ambassadors, whilst TIC staff were trained to deliver information at key events.

Cabinet members will hear last year’s pilot project, run by VHEY, aimed to take a look at traditional methods of delivering tourist information and bring them into line with modern methods to give local tourism a vitalcompetitive edge.

Findings revealed 50 per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with the kiosks for a variety of reasons – often they didn’t work and café and restaurant listings were poor. Slow connectivity is an ongoing issue, signage needs to be improved and local businesses would be more likely to recommend the service if they were more convinced of its benefits. And the report found“there was some local resistance and negative press surrounding the pilot exercise” with the loss of face-to-face contact the main objection.

The scheme saw the introduction of a Virtual TIC including an e-mail and telephone response centre.

Evaluation suggested this had been a success and could become a main source for the supply of tourist information.

The report concludes:“The visitor is now using the internet and telephone as primary sources of data and as channels for booking accommodation. The current TIC network will continue to play a key role in providing services to the visitor and will need to adapt to these changes.”

Related links:

• Visit Hull and East Yorkshire website.