Industry Update: Destination Orkney Limited announce outcome of EGM – period of change and re-structure
Members of Destination Orkney convened at an EGM last night to discuss the way forward for the organisation after the board of Directors announced their intention to stand down earlier in March this year.
Martin Fleet, Chairperson of Destination Orkney explained that the context for tourism in Orkney, and nationally, had changed. He said that Destination Orkney had few destination promotion functions, and that the organisation’s funding and consequently staffing had reduced significantly. This was currently inhibiting its ability to carry out all its functions representing and supporting members to the standard they would like, without considerable input from board members.
Attendees, comprising 37 members and several other interested parties, thanked the board and staff for their efforts in the circumstances and strongly backed the need for change. Voting on the various options gave very strong support for the continuation of a body of some form to represent and support those working in the tourism industry, particularly in times when the funding and legislative landscape affecting how our businesses function is changing rapidly.
It was ultimately agreed that in order to safeguard the organisation’s resources, three of the existing board members would remain as interim caretakers for the organisation’ and that Destination Orkney will continue to function in a reduced capacity until a public meeting can be held to restructure and plan the way forward.
This facilitated meeting, open to everyone with an interest in tourism, is being planned for late April in order to give the industry the best possible chance of continued support and representation throughout the season, and to secure the future of the organisation’s valued staff and assets.
Details of the meeting will be published in due course.
For more information, contact:
Martin Fleet, Chairperson
Destination Orkney Limited
Email: office@destinationorkney.co.uk
