The Wanganui District Councils investment of $40,000 on a Tourism strategy was challenged in a recent submission.
Having read the submission and sought feedback from the membership, concerns were raised by member businesses about the cost of the document and the lack of detail about how the strategy was going to be executed to ensure Tourism grows in the region.
We raised the issue that for an investment of $40,000 you might at least expect a detailed implantation plan  for the first year showing what further money being invested by the Council in this area will be used for and what value it will add going forward.
We also raised concern that the document did not have the Chamber of Commerce as a key stakeholder organisation for which it would consult going forward...
The Council has responded to our submission as follows;
“Your submission was accepted in part. The Chamber of Commerce was added as an example of a key stakeholder organisation on page seven of the strategy and it was noted that a project implementation plan is to be developed”.
You can view a copy of our submission on the visitor strategy by visiting www.wanganuichamber.co.nz