Blue Chip Tourism

Projects & Customers

November 2019 - March 2020
Test Valley Borough Council
VIC Review

Blue Chip Tourism and RJS Associates were appointed by Test Valley Borough Council to conduct a review of their tourism service, including their contracted VIC at Romsey, in advance of significant contract renewal.

The review covered best practice elsewhere, identification of opportunities for service improvement and potential partnerships at a local and regional level.

March - September 2019
Wentworth & Elsecar
Destination Development & Management

Blue Chip Tourism, working as an associate with Creative Tourist, delivered a project based in South Yorkshire through the Wentworth & Elsecar (WE) Great Place programme.

The partnership was seeking to use the transformational opportunity of Wentworth Woodhouse plus the investment in industrial heritage at Elsecar to create a new destination of national importance.

The work involved: comprehensive analysis and benchmarking of the existing and proposed products; consultation at an individual and partnership level, presentations to both Board and wider stakeholders; recommendations for joint products and marketing activities; clear proposals for the most appropriate structures for destination management.

June - December 2019
Destination Pembrokeshire Partnership/Pembrokeshire County Council
Destination Management Structures

In partnership with RJS Associates, Blue Chip Tourism delivered a strategic business plan considering the options for the creation of a new, single, organisation to deliver tourism in Pembrokeshire.

The existing partnership of the council, national park authority, trade association and community development agency required an integrated option to remove duplication, ensure economies of scale and deliver a transformational solution to engage & enthuse the private sector.

The work consisted of: review of the policy and legal framework for the potential new organisation; 1:1 consultation with primary stakeholders; generation of detailed options; modelling of potential income streams; wider industry consultation including online and workshops; detailed business and financial planning.

January - May 2019
Gwynedd Council
Benefitting from Tourism (and extension commission)

Blue Chip Tourism, in partnership with RJS Associates, was commissioned to deliver a project considering the most appropriate mechanisms and structures for Gwynedd Council (Snowdonia) to innovate in the funding of its destination management and marketing activities.

The project involved: desk research and one to one consultation with key stakeholders; discussions with innovators in Destination Management structures; options analysis & recommendations; Presentations & workshops to local authority and private sector partners; design and delivery of online consultation; generation of potential future funding scenarios.

Following production of the final report, the commission was extended to produce options for the development of the current Destination Management Partnership into an organisation more 'fit for purpose' to take forward the new models for destination management.

August 2018 - February 2019
Visit Manchester
Tour Development

As a development from the scoping project of 2016-17, Blue Chip Tourism was commissioned to provide consultancy support to Visit Manchester in the detailed development phase.

The work involved scoping of products and detailed business planning including sales forecasting for tours that would be exclusively owned and sold by Visit Manchester.

August 2018 - ongoing
Trac Mon/Anglesey Circuit
Funding Feasibility Study, Business Plan and Funding Application

Following on from the work with Stena Line/Anglesey Council, Keith has been working with Trac Mon, Anglesey's Motor Racing Circuit on a major new development at the site.

The project has involved detailed funding feasibility study, developing and submitting a business plan, economic impact assessment & submitting a funding application to Visit Wales which has been invited to the second stage.

June 2018 - March 2019
Hull City Council
Cruise Terminal Shore Excursion Programme

Having led on the business planning, operational planning and shore excursion programme in the original 2014-15 study, BCT was commissioned separately in 2018 to further develop a detailed series of itineraries for the terminal to demonstrate the viability of the project to potential operators.

The work involved: detailed scoping of potential itineraries; liaison with suppliers, including community organisations and small businesses; market testing with UK based shore excursion operators; costing and sales forecasting.

January - March 2018
Anglesey Council
Growth Bid Application - Stena Line/Anglesey Council

BCT was appointed through Royal Haskoning DHV to work with the Economic Development Team at Anglesey Council and the management of Holyhead Port (Stena Line) to develop a funding application to the Welsh and UK Governments which will transform its offer to the cruise industry.

The project involved: desk analysis of Irish Sea cruise traffic to identify growth opportunities for Holyhead; forecasts of performance across a 20-year timeframe; development of Gross Economic Forecasts; production of arguments to support the use of public funding.

19th century image of Wellington Rooms, Liverpool

March 2018
Merseyside Buildings Preservation Trust
Wellington Rooms Consultation Day

Blue Chip Tourism was appointed to support the consultation day event on the proposals for bringing Liverpool's historic Wellington Rooms back into active use.

This involved production and distribution of marketing materials, working with local agency nonconform, drafting of media communications and e-comms with Keith's extensive network of personal contacts as well as devising a short post-event online survey. The day was well attended and the communications described as 'excellent' by the client.

Download/Read: Wellington Rooms consultation

June 2016 - December 2017
Stoke-on-Trent City Council and partners
UK City of Culture Bid

Building on the experience of the previous round with Leicester, Keith was appointed (with Kirsty Connell) to advise on and prepare the bid for the city of Stoke-on-Trent to become UK City of Culture for 2021.

The bid involved working across multiple stakeholders, developing productive relationships and providing advice to the bid leadership team as well as the core task of drafting both bid documents once the city had achieved shortlisted status.

Download/Read: Stoke UKCC summary/Stoke UKCC final summary

October 2016 - March 2017
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Cultural Strategy

With the momentum of the UK City of Culture bidding process in full swing, BCT were commissioned to develop a new cultural strategy for Stoke-on-Trent to set out the strategic framework (over a ten-year period) in which the bid would operate.

The strategy was founded on extensive consultation with stakeholders including arts organisations, artists, community organisations, statutory agencies, councillors and senior officers.

Consultation findings, informed by national best practice & workshops, were developed into a coherent and prioritised programme of work across four key action areas.

September 2016 - January 2017
Marketing Manchester
International Gateway Product Development

Funded by the 'Discover England' initiative, Marketing Manchester are seeking to maximise their role as the International Gateway for the North of England.

BCT were selected to investigate the feasibility of a suite of day tours within and outside of Manchester.

The study involved: researching existing product; liaison with the travel trade, DMO's, commercial operators, transport providers (regional and national); detailed itinerary planning, and working across other funded projects to reduce duplication and enhance impact.

Following completion of the report Marketing Manchester moved into delivery and an excursion programme was launched for 2017 by a local commercial operator.

April - November 2016
Port Sunlight Village Trust
Group Travel Analysis and Recommendations

Blue Chip undertook a comprehensive analysis of the 5-year performance of group travel in Port Sunlight, a crucial market for the Village Trust and its commercial partners, including benchmarking and trends.

Recommendations were made concerning: the development of new products; marketing initiatives; approaches to new markets; pricing and income retention; partnerships and monitoring.

July 2015 - July 2016
Visit Isle of Wight
Destination Business Improvement District (DBID) Development

Building on its expertise gained in previous projects, Blue Chip Tourism was appointed by Visit Isle of Wight to support their development of the UK's first county-wide DBID.

Working with John Hallett, who introduced the model to the UK in 2011, the work included financial modelling, advice on governance and structures, drafting key statutory documents including the BID proposal and consultation prospectus.

The ballot of over 1,000 businesses returned a 63% yes vote, bringing with it 75% of the Rateable Value.

Download/Read: VIOW consultation prospectus/VIOW BID proposal

September - December 2015
Liverpool Football Club
Tourism - 5 Year Strategy

The building of the New Main Stand offers a transformational opportunity for LFC Tourism, the operators of the Museum, Stadium Tour and Experiences.

Working from primary data from existing and potential customers, the travel trade and benchmarking against global & UK competitors, Blue Chip produced a five year strategy to maximise this opportunity and become a 'must see' part of any visit to Liverpool.

Blue Chip Tourism was invited to refresh the Strategy in 2018 with a particular focus on the use of social media, the offer to groups and progress against the original objectives.

March - July 2015
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic & Partners
UNESCO City of Music bid

Providing support and working with Kirsty Connell, Blue Chip helped develop and deliver a successful bid to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network to be recognised as a City of Music on behalf of a network of Liverpool stakeholders.

This involved working within extremely demanding guidelines to deliver a coherent, credible and compliant bid.

June 2014 - June 2015
Hull City Council & Partners
Cruise Liner Terminal Feasibility Study

Working as part of the multi-disciplinary Travelyields consortium, led by David Selby and comprising specialist architects the Manser Practice and engineers Royal Haskoning, Blue Chip Tourism led on the Business Planning, Economic Impact and Shore Excursion development for the Feasibility study.

The final report provided a clear indication of the potential for a cruise terminal in Hull, which the council is now taking forward.

July - November 2014
North Ayrshire Council
Tourism Assets & Investment Framework

As an associate to Amion Consulting, Blue Chip undertook a policy & strategic review for the Council and developed a targeted set of recommendations for North Ayrshire to build on its key product strengths and invest in its assets with the most potential.

February - November 2014
Visit Manchester
TBID scoping study

During 2014 VisitManchester commissioned a TBID scoping study in two phases, the first involved a feasibility study and detailed financial forecast, the second a comprehensive consultation and refinement of the proposal.

Recommendations included levy model options, governance, relations with existing structures and delivery plans.

May - September 2014
Worcestershire County Council
Cultural Impact
(A review of the economic impact of the Cultural sector in Worcestershire and recommendations for enhancement.)

Working in partnership with AMION consulting, Blue Chip Tourism (including Kirsty Connell) developed a clear analysis and a focused set of recommendations for enhancing the economic impact of the cultural sector in Worcestershire.

These recommendations have resulted in further funding to take forward delivery of key projects from the county's Open For Business Board and have contributed to a serious consideration of a bid by Worcester for UK City of Culture.

April - August 2014
Visit Hope Street Community Interest Company
5 Year Strategic Business Plan

Blue Chip Tourism was commissioned in the Spring of 2014 to develop a five year strategic business plan for the Visit Hope Street Community Interest Company (CIC).

Working with a large number of partners and stakeholders, the Plan covered elements such as marketing, events, membership and external relations. Following the receipt of the Business Plan, Keith was appointed by the CIC as co-ordinator to take forward the recommendations of the report in November 2014.

March - November 2013
Leicester City Council & Partners
UK City of Culture Bid

Keith worked as part of The Inside Track consortium (including Kirsty Connell & Neil Peterson) to develop and deliver both phases of Leicester's bid to be UK City of Culture for 2017, achieving shortlisted status.

Keith led on the tourism, economic, marketing, management & governance elements and was significantly involved in stakeholder engagement.

December 2012 - January 2013
Visit Essex
TBID revenue estimates

The commission involved collating and analysing the tourism sector across all Essex districts to develop revenue forecasts based on a variety of potential levy models.

September - December 2012
TBID Early Adopters Group/Core Cities Tourism
Position Statement on TBIDs & Advice Note

The Core Cities Tourism Group commissioned Blue Chip Tourism in September 2012 to undertake a position statement and analysis of those destinations in England considering innovative funding models including Tourism Business Improvement Districts (TBIDs).

Blue Chip Tourism

Projects & Customers

Blue Chip Tourism:

"Turning places into destinations"