PLANS to boost tourism in the Falkirk Council area have been approved by councillors.
Members of the authority’s leisure, tourism and community committee endorsed the area’s tourism action plan for 2012 at a meeting this week.
But councillors also expressed concern at the results of a survey carried out at the Falkirk Wheel – and asked for a more detailed “exit” survey to be carried out next Easter. Politicians are keen to understand how to temp people from the Wheel – the area’s biggest attraction – to other facilities.
Members were told plans for the year ahead would focus on key visitor attractions, local infrastructure, marketing and partnership initiatives.
A number of projects are planned in the Bo’ness area.
- The Historic Hippodrome Cinema will celebrate its 100th birthday with a special event in March 2012, followed by a Festival of Silent Cinema a few days later.
- The Hippodrome’s architect Matthew Steele will be celebrated as part of an architecture exhibition at Callendar House in Falkirk.
- The replica of the Bridgeness Roman Slab from Bo’ness will be installed off Harbour Road to promote the Roman Antonine Wall.
- New disabled toilets will be installed at Kinneil Museum. New toilets will also be installed at Bo’ness Station.
- Plus new signage will guide visitors from the Kinneil Rail Halt to the Foreshore and Kinneil Estate.
Falkirk Council’s tourism convener, Councillor Adrian Mahoney, said: “There’s a raft of initiatives, new projects and celebratory events planned for the next 12 months. Hopefully they should all help to make the area more attractive and inviting to visitors.”
Projects on the ground will be backed by a range of marketing initiatives. The Falkirk area leaflet, produced by the Council, will be revised and produced in French and German.
A new website will be launched by Falkirk Community Trust – now running Falkirk Council’s cultural and leisure facilities on the authority’s behalf.
There will also be discussions with local organisations to put forward a bid for VisitScotland Growth Funding. This could, potentially, boost marketing of the Antonine Wall.
The Council is a key partner in the Forth Valley Tourism Partnership – which runs events and activities to engage with tourism businesses. Work to support the partnership will continue in 2012.
Earlier this year the Council launched new web pages to promote the local area. See www.falkirk.gov.uk/visitfalkirk
