Downtown NJ的动态

Calling all dandies, dreamers and creative crackpots – Leeds is for you When the Guardian’s Grace Dent wrote a review of Leeds restaurant Galleria last weekend, her impression of the city made me smile: “People who don’t know Leeds or what it’s like – let’s, for the sake of argument, call them southerners – often imagine it to be a rough-and-ready place full of brash Yorkshire pragmatists who have absolutely no time for pretentiousness. Well, they’re wrong. Leeds has?always?been chock-full of some of Britain’s greatest dandies, dreamers and creative crackpots. I blame the university, the Industrial Revolution and something in the drinking water from the Royd Moor Reservoir.” That’s a city I’d want to visit. I wouldn’t say Leeds has been coy to shout out about its glories but Baroness Judith Blake, when she was Leader of the Council and promoting #LEEDS2023, Year of Culture, was onto something when she said the city didn’t just hide its light under a bushel, it hid its bushel! We’ve won the tender to work with VisitLeeds to help the city become known as a world-class, modern, and historic European destination. Acknowledging the city’s brilliant cultural infrastructure, VisitLeeds wants to ensure the city is on everyone’s future “must visit” list, both across the UK and internationally. That’s a brief we relish. As a visitor destination, Leeds is brimming with untapped potential.?When places around the world are struggling with the effects of ‘over-tourism’, Leeds is well-placed to rise up the discerning traveller’s wishlist. Being located slap bang in the middle of the UK gives the city many advantages from a tourism perspective: it’s the ideal gateway for travelling not just across Yorkshire and the North of England but across the whole country. When The Sunday Times this year named Leeds as the best place to live in the North of England, I doubt local dandies, dreamers and creative crackpots were surprised. #Leeds #Yorkshire #VisitEngland #Tourism #Travel #VisitBritain #CulturalTourism Photo: Octovision Media

Manchester is a great example of thriving city that behind the scenes has its challenges. 1 in 74 people here are homeless. When you eat out in the Northern Quarter or walk through Heaton Park, this might go largely unnoticed. Sustainability in tourism for us is about showing off the incredible side of our cities. telling extraordinary stories and supporting our guides to talk about what makes them happy - music, history, social culture, and more, but also to raise awareness and break down stigmas around homelessness. How is that part of sustainable tourism??In so many ways - ?? It spreads positive word of mouth about more challenging conversations. ?? It encourages other people to choose things to do that create education and discussion.? ?? It creates jobs to reach people that traditional jobs in tourism may not.? ?? It changes perceptions - of people, or a place and a whole lot more too.? ?? And, the tourist footprint left on the city is more positive, regenerative, more impactful and creates more momentum for future change and awareness. Understanding how sustainability is a priority in tourism is a challenge and it takes myriad forms. The important thing is that we start the conversation and champion new ideas, whatever shape they take. If you want our founder Zakia or one of our growing team to talk on sustainability in tourism and doing tourism differently at your next conference or event, send us a message. #sustainabilityintourism #manchester #homelessness #doingtourismdifferently

Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: “North Berwick is a highly desirable place to live in and visit and there should be an appropriate balance between local communities and the tourist economy. However, when businesses and livelihoods are at stake due to heavy-handed regulation, there’s a responsibility to deal in facts and not anecdote. "Across the whole of East Lothian, there are 367 secondary let licence applications, of which only 70 are located in North Berwick. Blaming short-term lets for much wider housing policy challenges is wrongheaded and simply raises false hopes in communities that a glut of affordable homes will magically become available. "Scapegoating short-term rentals simply doesn’t work. The solution lies elsewhere: building more homes.” https://lnkd.in/e2B9Fe3q #STL #SelfCatering #Tourism #Economy #Scotland Myah Thomas (Cert DDM) Clare Winskill Ralph Averbuch Anna Calder Urquhart Morris Anna Scott Iain Muirhead Carl Thomson Ben Edgar-Spier David Weston David Smythe Alistair Handyside MBE PASC UK The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) Marc Crothall MBE Patrick O'Shaughnessy

?? Commercial real estate investors take note: Livability recently spotlighted Carmel as a top destination, and it's no surprise why. "Livability only ranks destinations where the median home value is $500,000 or less, and in Carmel, house prices stand at $380,000, while the median monthly rent is $1,177. At the same time, the median household income in the city is about twice the national average, or $151,115. Livability notes this is due to the city’s thriving economy and highlights Carmel’s Meridian Corporate Corridor, home to over 100 corporate headquarters. The city is also a hotspot for retail activity, thanks to shopping centers like Clay Terrace, Old Town Carmel, and Village Park Plaza." #Carmel #Livability #EconomicGrowth #CommercialRealEstate #InvestmentOpportunity https://lnkd.in/gpjzxsUJ

Revitalising UK City Centres: The Power of Visitor Attractions! The transformation of UK city and town centres is underway, driven by the innovative development of visitor attractions. These attractions are more than just entertainment spots—they are catalysts for economic growth, cultural enrichment, and urban regeneration. Take the Eden Project in Cornwall, attracting over a million visitors annually, or the Turner Contemporary in Margate, igniting the local cultural scene. Liverpool ONE has redefined Liverpool's cityscape, blending retail, leisure, and residential spaces. Visitor attractions are breathing new life into our urban areas, creating jobs, fostering community engagement, and promoting sustainability. By embracing these developments, we can build vibrant, resilient city centres across the UK. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e7pYv8K6 #UrbanRevitalization #EconomicGrowth #CulturalEnrichment #Sustainability #UKCityCentres #VisitorAttractions #UrbanRegeneration #EdenProject #TurnerContemporary #LiverpoolONE

Members of the Highland Council’s Community and Place Committee have given their support to an action plan focusing on the operating of public conveniences over the next 10 years. Whilst not a statutory function, the Council is the main provider of public conveniences located throughout Highland, operating 74 sites. The Approach and Action Plan presented to the Committee today sets out a strategy for investment in public convenience should funding become available.? Chair of the Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie said: “Whilst not a statutory function, the Council is the main provider of public conveniences located throughout Highland. They are an essential part of a community and contribute to all aspects of the Council’s strategic priorities of sustainable tourism, health and wellbeing, and inclusion of communities. “We are committed to providing accessible, safe, and clean public conveniences to communities and visitors to the area. The Action Plan we have given our support to sets out how decisions can be made based on agreed criteria to ensure best value is demonstrated, whether it is in repairing, renewing, transferring to a community or closing a site.” The Capital Programme approved by Council on 14 September 2023 includes annual provision for Public Toilets of ￡33k for 2024/25 up to 2028/29. The proposals in the Action Plan would be subject to additional funding becoming available. Councillor MacKenzie added: “We accept that the capital and revenue funding is accepted to be minimal in the coming years. It is therefore important that a strategic approach is taken to investing in, and maintaining, public conveniences, now and in the future.” The Approach and Action plan will guide the provision of public conveniences that are owned and/or managed by the Council. There are other public conveniences located throughout the area which are not managed by the Council such as those in libraries, community hubs, recreation centres. There are also public conveniences in the region which are provided by other operators under the Council’s Comfort Scheme.? Comfort scheme providers receive a grant for allowing the public to use their facilities as a public convenience without a transaction being required. Comfort Schemes can be found in community halls, restaurants, cafes, ex Council public conveniences and recreational centres and provide a source of income to participating groups. Any community group or local business interested in finding out more about the Council’s Comfort Scheme can do so be emailing [email protected]?

Fun Fact Friday: Accessibility in Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is working on a major initiative to make our city a top destination for accessible travel. With the help of a state grant, we’re undertaking a project that will span the next year and a half to ensure our city is as inclusive and welcoming as possible. Here’s what’s happening: - We’ve partnered with Disability Advocates of Kent County to conduct accessibility reviews of over 300 venues across Kent County. These detailed assessments will be published on an expanded https://lnkd.in/g_TF2yBz page, helping travelers find accurate, useful information about accessible options. - Wheel the World, an international leader in accessible tourism, is creating a dedicated page for Grand Rapids that will feature 50 local venues, from restaurants to attractions to accommodations. This resource will make planning an accessible trip easier than ever. - We’re also providing training for local tourism partners to help them implement best practices and create welcoming spaces for all. This isn’t just about meeting standards—it’s about making sure every visitor feels welcome here. We’re excited to make Grand Rapids a place where everyone can explore and enjoy. #FunFactFriday #GrandRapids #AccessibleTravel

The Mainstreet Australia National Conference for 2024 presents a unique opportunity for sector experts and leaders to listen, collaborate, and share ideas that can genuinely transform main streets, town centres and precincts across Australia, making them thrive in ways we've never imagined. This year’s conference theme is ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Destinations.’ It resonates powerfully across Stonnington, home to some of Melbourne’s most recognisable retail, lifestyle and business precincts. Take Chapel Street, for example. For more than 100 years, it has been a business and shopping hub that has evolved through the generations. This evolution continues, with the Council recently embarking on a journey to transform the iconic main street into a destination for tomorrow. Stonnington’s precincts and main streets are vibrant and unique, many with distinctive characters, such as Armadale’s High Street, Hawksburn and Toorak Villages, or the bustling Glenferrie Road. Place-led economic development, environmental sustainability, and protecting places of heritage are essential, as are supporting our ageing population and responsible investment in infrastructure to benefit the community. Like many other places, Stonnington faces its own set of challenges. However, these challenges are not unique to us. They are shared by all of us who are passionate about revitalising our main streets. Together, we can plan for housing, transport, community safety, and active communities while also encouraging businesses, visitors, and residents to our main streets. We all have a role to play in revitalising our main streets to seal their status as tomorrow’s destinations. The City of Stonnington is proud to host the 2024 Mainstreet Australia National Conference and looks forward to welcoming delegates to our wonderful City. See you there! To learn more and secure your spot at this much-anticipated event, visit https://lnkd.in/ex8kbuUq - Cr Joe Gianfriddo | Mayor, City of Stonnington #MainstreetAus24 #Mainstreet #MainstreetAustralia #Mainstreets #CommunityBuilding #Placemaking #UrbanDesign

Today is World Tourism Day, and we want to reflect on how lucky we are to call a place like Squamish home. The stunning beauty of nature that surrounds us attracts more and more people every year, making Squamish a highly sought out destination. But as our town grows, so do the challenges of finding secure, affordable housing. ????? That’s where co-living comes in. By sharing spaces and resources, we can offer affordable, sustainable housing solutions to help more people live and thrive in this beautiful place we all love. ?? Co-living not only eases housing pressures but builds a sense of community. https://lnkd.in/dRuD94A3 . . . . #WorldTourismDay #SquamishLiving #AffordableHousing #CoLivingSquamish #CommunityFirst #ResponsibleLiving #Coliving #HousingCrisis #BCRealEstate

“Feel free to come to London and still see the London Dungeon Experience a tube of mad claustrophobics Where food and bad posture don’t mix And join us in moving along to the groove of the song What a sight to see, we could swap a nicety Some of us feel you've forgotten my city But hopefully you’ll be proving us wrong If you can take the rough with the smooth then it’s on” This is the last verse of a thought-provoking poem called "My City", written by George The Poet, a London-born spoken word performer of Ugandan heritage. It capture the tensions caused by promoting cities in ways that do not reflect the diversity of people and place. It concludes with a positive sentiment about embracing the different faces of a city in the potential interactions between resident and visitor. It's a sentiment that resonated with me on our Twixmas (urgh!) trip into London, travelling between our hotel in Bethnal Green with it's Young V&A, via the City to experience nearly a thousand year's of heritage at the Tower of London. The U.K.'s capital is one of those cities that's face changes constantly on a twenty minute bus ride, and consistently over the decades. The taking of the "rough with the smooth" is a tourism trend that I believe we will see more of as Gen Z continue to look for the authenticity of places and destination managers seek to disperse the impacts of over-tourism. I'm struck by the places like New Zealand that define 'high value tourism' as visitors that share the value of a destination and contribute something more than cash. I also foresee a greater move for place branding and placemaking to work more closely together in ensuring residents are central to how cities progress and are presented. Smaller towns too need to adapt a narrative that acknowledges the 'rough and the smooth' and engages residents, visitors and potential investors in a realistic and confident portrayal of ongoing progress. Maybe it's time to prove people wrong and show that different faces of a town or city have not been forgotten and embrace them as part of a new narrative. Maybe newcomers and residents will find greater value in swapping more than a nicety. Maybe. #cities #towns #communityengagement #destinationmanagement #placebranding #placemaking #cocreation