Tourism boost targeted by conference

Oldham needs to promote Saddleworth more to become a bigger tourist destination, a conference heard yesterday.

Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Oldham council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for tourism, was speaking at the first annual “Visit Oldham” conference at Talking Point, Scouthead.

The event, attended by more than 40 travel and related businesses, was addressed by key speakers from Marketing Manchester and Pennine Prospects.

Councillor Akhtar said: “In reality, Saddleworth and Oldham should be promoting each other. The key role is in changing perceptions and working together. Tourists arriving in Manchester should see us as the Northern Gateway to the Peak District. We must work on that.”

But Oldham town centre will be a priority of the current tourism focus.

“It is important the town centre is seen as a main offering,” he declared. “Once we have finally established when the Metrolink is ready, our plan is to work with town-centre businesses to create a two-week celebration to show the town is open again.”

Quizzed about Tommyfield Market as a possible tourism magnet, he said: “Markets have changed, we are hoping some of the new dynamics will encourage the next generation of young entrepreneurs.”

Jane Randall, head of visitor economy for Visit Manchester, said a new-five year tourism strategy aimed to position the region alongside key international visitor destinations like Barcelona, Munich and Melbourne.

There would be emphasis on improving the quality and international appeal of the area. “Oldham and Saddleworth could certainly focus on the distinctiveness in that regard,” she said.

Another aim would be to concentrate on efforts to improve combined bidding for international events.