Issue - meetings

Verbal update by Marine Operations Manager

An update by Councillor John Semple and Martin Gorringe.

The Chair reported that the questionnaire which had been compiled by the consultants - Vector Research and JMP - was to undertake an evaluation on the impact and benefits to the local community and local businesses of the new Ferry operation. The group agreed the need for the importance of people to complete the questionnaire to gauge the effectiveness of the ferry operation.

The Marine Operations manager advised the timeline for completion of the questionnaires.  These would be finalised by August 2014 and a report generated at the service conclusion in September. This exercise would be repeated in 2015 and would hopefully provide a clear picture of the success of the operation and inform if it would be sustainable for future years.   

The group gave consideration to the following marketing initiatives:-

Highlighting events and promoting local attractions in the Kintyre area - correlation of ferry crossings to 'link in' with these events. 

Possibility of introducing a Loyalty card for visitors to local attractions - e.g. Distilleries/hotels

Liaising with local cycle clubs in the Ayrshire area - promoting the ferry service with a view to these clubs utilising local cycle routes

Staging 'Comedy/Culture nights' on board the ferry 

Promoting the ferry service - West Sound local Ayrshire Radio

Local Ambassador/Ambassadress to promote local attractions on the ferry

Signage at Kennacraig - promoting Kintyre attractions

Outcome:

The group agreed that Maggie Maguire would be invited to a meeting in Campbeltown to give further discussion to the progression of these marketing initiatives

That a list of local events in Kintyre, Islay and Arran would be compiled.  

That the evaluation questionnaire would be disseminated via the Explore Campbeltown network to establish views from local people.

That Cllr Semple would compose a short Press Release for dissemination to both the Courier and Explore Campbeltown.  Explore Campbeltown would again disseminate this Press Release via their network.